ないとも限らない
🃏 Flashcard
ないとも限らない
nai tomo kagiranai
Tap to reveal usage
not necessarily; maybe; might ~
N1
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
nai tomo kagiranai
Post ID
51281
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
not necessarily; maybe; might ~
📖 How to use it
Expresses the possibility that something may happen, despite seeming unlikely.
Attaches to
Attach to the plain negative form of a verb or い-adjective (e.g., 行かない, 高くない). For nouns and な-adjectives, use ではない (or じゃない) before とも限らない.
This pattern means 'it's not necessarily the case that not...' or 'there's a chance that...'. It's used to say that even if something seems unlikely, it could still happen. It often carries a nuance of caution or uncertainty. For example, '明日雨が降らないとも限らない' means 'It might rain tomorrow' (literally 'it's not necessarily the case that it won't rain'). It's a double negative, so it's somewhat formal and mostly used in written or careful speech.
彼が嘘をついていないとも限らないから、ちゃんと確認しよう。
Kare ga uso o tsuite inai to mo kagiranai kara, chanto kakunin shiyou.
He might be lying, so let's check properly.
この店は高くないとも限らないから、予算を確認してから入ろう。
Kono mise wa takakunai to mo kagiranai kara, yosan o kakunin shite kara hairou.
This place might not be cheap, so let's check the budget before going in.
彼女が来ないとも限らないので、席を取っておいたほうがいい。
Kanojo ga konai to mo kagiranai node, seki o totte oita hou ga ii.
She might come, so we'd better save a seat.
Not ～ないこともない
～ないこともない means 'it's not that I can't' (i.e., it's possible but with reluctance), while ～ないとも限らない expresses uncertainty about a negative outcome. For example, '行かないこともない' means 'I could go' (implying I might), but '行かないとも限らない' means 'it's possible (he) won't go'.
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Formal and mostly used in written Japanese or careful speech; in casual conversation, you'd use ～かもしれない instead.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
ないとも限らない
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat ないとも限らない three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using ないとも限らない. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern ないとも限らない mean?
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Not necessarily; maybe; might ~
What JLPT level is ないとも限らない?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use ないとも限らない in a sentence?
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Attach ないとも限らない (nai tomo kagiranai) 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 ないとも限らない formal or casual Japanese?
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ないとも限らない is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember ないとも限らない long-term?
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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.