ないとも限らない【ないともかぎらない】

can't rule out, might, there's a chance that, you never know, not necessarily not

AI-generated

Structure

[verb ない-form] + とも限らない [i-adj 〜い → 〜く] + ないとも限らない [noun] / [na-adj] + でないとも限らない

Description

ないとも限らない means "you can't rule out that…": literally, "it isn't certain that X won't happen". The two negatives leave a real chance that X does happen, usually something unwelcome. It goes after the ない-form of a verb, and the sentence often goes on to say what to do about it.

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An earthquake could happen.

Word for word, "it is not certain that an earthquake won't happen".

。

You can't say this plan won't fail.

、。

It might rain tomorrow, so you should take an umbrella.

The thing that might happen is the verb in front of ない: しっぱい失敗しないともかぎらない限らない is "it might fail".

ないとも限らない or とは限らない

without the ない means "not necessarily": it doubts that X is always so. ないとも限らない raises the chance that X happens.

。

An expensive restaurant isn't necessarily good.

。

He might come, you never know.

Register

ないとも限らない is formal and mostly written: notices, reports, warnings. In conversation かもしれない says the same thing more plainly.

、。

This medicine may have side effects, so please consult a doctor.

、。

This medicine might have side effects, so ask a doctor.

Examples

、。

You can't rule out the possibility of an earthquake, so you should be prepared.

、。

He might agree, so let's ask him just in case.

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You can't say this plan won't fail.

、。

It's not necessarily the case that this technology won't become necessary in the future.

、。

It might snow tomorrow, so let's change the tires.

、。

You can't rule out the possibility that company might go bankrupt, so caution is needed with investments.

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You never know – she might change her mind.

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The negotiations might fail, so let's prepare an alternative plan too.

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Even if it's safe now, you can't say it won't become dangerous in the future.

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You might still pass the exam, so let's keep trying until the end.

、。

You can't rule out the possibility of side effects from this medication, so please consult a doctor.

ないでもない

ないまでも