N3Expectation and Judgment

V(plain) / い-adj / な-adj な / N の + はずがない

Q: Is "Using this pattern for subjective emotional denial." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 'wake ga nai' for more emotional denial.". This pattern is used to deny a possibility based on logic or evidence, not for subjective emotional denial.

Q: Is "Incorrect noun connection." correct?

No. The correct form is "Use 'N の' to connect the noun.". The noun should be connected with 'N の' to form the pattern.

Q: Is "Tense mismatch in the relative clause." correct?

No. The correct form is "Match the tense of the relative clause with the main clause.". The tense of the relative clause should match the tense of the main clause.

cannot be/impossible

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern 'V(plain) / い-adj / な-adj な / N の + はずがない' is used to strongly deny a possibility based on logic or evidence. It implies that something is impossible or cannot be, often due to a logical conclusion or evidence. This pattern is similar to 'hazu da' but with a stronger emphasis on impossibility.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Plain form of a verb	V(plain) + い-adj + な-adj な + N の + はずがない	V(plain) can be any verb in its plain form, such as 'する' (to do) or 'する' (to do)
い-adjective	い-adj + な-adj な + N の + はずがない	い-adj can be any い-adjective, such as 'まじめ' (serious) or 'あれほど' (so much)
な-adjective	な-adj な + N の + はずがない	な-adj can be any な-adjective, such as 'まじめ' (serious) or 'あれほど' (so much)
Noun	N の + はずがない	N can be any noun, such as '嘘' (lie) or '練習' (practice)

Examples

Example Sentences

まじめな彼が嘘を話すはずがない。

majimena kare ga uso o hanasu hazu ga nai.

It's impossible for a serious person to tell a lie.

まじめな (serious) + 彼 (he) + が (subject marker) + 嘘を (lie) +話す (to tell) + はずがない (cannot be)

昨日あれほど練習したのだから、今日試験を受けるはずがない。

kinou arehodo renshu shita no da kara, kyou shiken o ukeru hazu ga nai.

Since we practiced so much yesterday, it's impossible to take the exam today.

昨日 (yesterday) + あれほど (so much) + 練習した (practiced) +のだから (because) + 今日 (today) + 試験を受ける (to take the exam) + はずがない (cannot be)

鍵はかばんの中に入れたんだから、外に出すはずがないよ。

kagi wa kabao no naka ni iretanda kara, soto ni dasu hazu ga nai yo.

Since the key is inside the bag, it's impossible to take it out.

鍵 (key) + は (topic marker) + かばんの中 (inside the bag) + 入れた (put in) + んだから (because) + 外に出す (to take out) + はずがない (cannot be)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to strongly deny a possibility based on logic or evidence. It is often used in formal or written Japanese. The tense of the relative clause should match the tense of the main clause. This pattern is similar to 'hazu da' but with a stronger emphasis on impossibility.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using this pattern for subjective emotional denial.

Use 'wake ga nai' for more emotional denial.

This pattern is used to deny a possibility based on logic or evidence, not for subjective emotional denial.

Incorrect noun connection.

Use 'N の' to connect the noun.

The noun should be connected with 'N の' to form the pattern.

Tense mismatch in the relative clause.

Match the tense of the relative clause with the main clause.

The tense of the relative clause should match the tense of the main clause.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

Pay attention to the formation of the pattern and the tense of the relative clause. Practice using this pattern to deny a possibility based on logic or evidence.

In context