かねない | Grammar

Structure

[verb ます-stem] + かねない

Description

かねない expresses the possibility that something undesirable might happen or could happen. It carries a sense of warning or concern – the speaker believes there is a real risk of a negative outcome occurring. It is used to describe situations where things could go wrong if nothing is done.

It attaches to the verb stem (ます-stem):

、。

If we leave things as they are, it could turn into a serious problem.

。

His remarks could invite misunderstanding.

Nuance: Negative outcomes

Unlike other expressions of possibility such as かもしれない (which is neutral), かねない almost always refers to undesirable or dangerous outcomes. It implies that the speaker considers the negative result to be a realistic possibility, not just a vague chance.

、。

If you push yourself too hard, you might ruin your health.

。

This plan could very well fail.

Don't confuse かねない with かねる. While かねる means "to be unable to do something" (expressing difficulty or reluctance), かねない means the opposite – something might very well happen. The ない in かねない is negating the "inability," resulting in the meaning "it's not impossible" → "it could happen."

おうけしお受けしかねます – I'm unable to accept (polite refusal).
じこ事故がおこり起こりかねない – An accident could happen (warning).

Usage notes

Commonly used in formal writing, news, and business contexts.
The subject is often a situation, event, or someone's action that poses a risk.
It is sometimes paired with expressions of cause like 〜～と, 〜～ば, or 〜～たら to emphasize the condition under which the bad outcome might occur.

Examples

。。

You never know what that person might do. He could even commit a crime.

、。

In this kind of weather, the game could very well be canceled.

、。

If you say something like that, she might get angry.

、。

If we ignore this problem, it could affect the entire company.

、。

If you look at your phone while driving, you could cause an accident.

、。

With insufficient preparation, the presentation could fail.

。

His behavior could lead to a loss of trust.

、。

If you keep eating like that, you could get sick.

、。

If this information leaks, it could become a major scandal.

、かねませ。

If you don't meet the deadline, the contract could be terminated.

。

A single mistake could prove fatal.

、。

A careless remark could develop into an international incident.

References

かねないBunpro