can do~; is not impossible to~ (ないことはない) – Japanese Grammar ないことはない (nai koto wa nai)

Q: What JLPT level is ないことはない?

JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Q: How do you use ないことはない in a sentence?

Attach ないことはない to the appropriate verb or noun form. Can do~; is not impossible to~

Q: Is ないことはない formal or casual Japanese?

ないことはない can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

ないことはない

N3 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

nai koto wa nai

can do~; is not impossible to~

がたい gatai だけど dakedo を中心に o chuushin ni ことは～が koto wa~ga に比べて ni kurabete てもしょうがない temo shou ga nai ている場合じゃない teiru baai janai 向き muki 途中で tochuu de 別に～ない betsu ni~nai しかない shikanai おかげで okage de といい / たらいい to ii / tara ii そうもない sou mo nai ずに zuni にかわって ni kawatte にしたがって ni shitagatte か何か ka nani ka ぶりに buri ni なぜなら nazenara がたい gatai だけど dakedo を中心に o chuushin ni ことは～が koto wa~ga に比べて ni kurabete てもしょうがない temo shou ga nai ている場合じゃない teiru baai janai 向き muki 途中で tochuu de 別に～ない betsu ni~nai しかない shikanai おかげで okage de といい / たらいい to ii / tara ii そうもない sou mo nai ずに zuni にかわって ni kawatte にしたがって ni shitagatte か何か ka nani ka ぶりに buri ni なぜなら nazenara

🃏 Flashcard

ないことはない

nai koto wa nai

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can do~; is not impossible to~

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N3

Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Reading nai koto wa nai

Post ID 50877

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

can do~; is not impossible to~

📖 How to use it

Expresses that something is possible or true, with a nuance of 'it's not that it can't be done' or 'it's not impossible.'

Attaches to Attach to the ない-stem of a verb (the form used to make the negative, e.g., 行かない → 行か), then add ないことはない. For い-adjectives, use the stem plus ないことはない (e.g., 高くないことはない). For nouns and な-adjectives, use でないことはない (e.g., 学生でないことはない).

This double negative pattern softens a statement. It means 'it's not that ~ is not the case,' so it implies that something is possible or true, but with hesitation or understatement. For example, if you say 行けないことはない, you mean 'it's not that I can't go'—so you can go, but maybe with difficulty or reluctance. It often carries a nuance of 'if I try' or 'under certain conditions.' Use it when you want to avoid a direct positive assertion, like admitting ability but not enthusiasm, or acknowledging a fact while hinting at exceptions. It is a conversational pattern, though not overly casual, and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese. Note that the verb must be in the negative form, and the structure is a bit like 'there is no (situation) where it is not ~.' This pattern is not as strong as saying 'I can do it' outright; it leaves room for doubt or condition.

一人で行けないことはないけど、できれば一緒に行ってほしい。

Hitori de ikenai koto wa nai kedo, dekireba issho ni itte hoshii.

It's not that I can't go alone, but if possible I'd like you to come with me.

この料理は辛いけど、食べられないことはないよ。

Kono ryouri wa karai kedo, taberarenai koto wa nai yo.

This dish is spicy, but it's not that I can't eat it.

毎日練習すれば、上手になれないことはない。

Mainichi renshuu sureba, jouzu ni narenai koto wa nai.

If you practice every day, it's not impossible to become good.

Not なくはない (also a double negative but used with adjectives or verbs in a different form) なくはない attaches to the ない-stem of adjectives or verbs but is more limited and often used with adjectives (e.g., 面白くなくはない). ないことはない is more general and can be used with verbs to express ability or possibility. Also, ないことはない often implies a condition, while なくはない simply means 'not entirely not.'

Register This is neutral conversational Japanese, suitable for everyday speech and informal writing, but not for formal documents or very polite speech.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

ないことはない

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Press Hear it and repeat ないことはない three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using ないことはない. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns

← Previous

ながらも

but; although; despite

ないと

must do; unless/if you don't~

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern ないことはない mean? ▼

Can do~; is not impossible to~

What JLPT level is ないことはない? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use ないことはない in a sentence? ▼

Attach ないことはない (nai koto wa nai) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is ないことはない formal or casual Japanese? ▼

ないことはない is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember ないことはない long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.