のではないだろうか | Grammar

Structure

[verb (plain)] + のではないだろうか [i-adj] + のではないだろうか [na-adj] + な + のではないだろうか [noun] + な + のではないだろうか

Description

のではないだろうか puts forward your own view as a question: "isn't it the case that", "I'd say". Despite the negative, the speaker thinks the statement is true and offers it gently. Verbs and い-adjectives take it in the plain form; a noun or a な-adjective takes な.

。

Isn't there a problem with the Japanese education system?

。

That idea seems a bit naive to me.

。

I suspect the real cause lies elsewhere.

えすえぬえすSNS。

Aren't people relying too much on social media?

× 原因は別だのではないだろうか → 原因は別なのではないだろうか

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のではないだろうか belongs to essays, editorials and speeches, where a flat assertion would sound pushy. Said to someone, the polite form is のではないでしょうか, at home in meetings and business email. Among friends it shortens to んじゃないかな or んじゃない？.

。

Shouldn't we take a bit more time over this?

。

Wouldn't this way be more efficient?

。

I don't think that's quite right.

Not a negative question

The ない does not negate the statement. To say you think something is not the case, the negative goes before のでは.

。

I think his opinion may well be right.

、。

I don't think he quit only because of the pay.

Examples

。

I think there might be problems with Japan's education system.

。

Don't you think we should spend a bit more time on this?

、。

I think the reason she's angry might be because there was a misunderstanding.

。

Isn't it the case that this plan is unreasonable?

えすえぬえすSNS。

I think people might be relying too much on social media.

。

Shouldn't we think about environmental issues more seriously?

。

I think the cause of that accident might be a mechanical failure.

、。

I think play is also an important form of learning for children.

、。

I think the reason he quit wasn't just because of the salary.

。

Don't you think it will be too late if things continue like this?

。

I think today's young people should be appreciated more.

、。

I think that store closed because its location was bad.

References

のではないだろうかBunpro