immersionlog

〜ないことはない

it's not that (I) can't; could, if need be

Verb ない-form + ことはない / こともない

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A double negative, ないことはない means "it's not that … not": 行けないことはないが、ちょっと遠い, "I could go, but it's a bit far".

It's a reluctant yes. The speaker admits something is possible or true, but with reservations, and often a けど or が follows with the catch.

It's very common with potential verbs: 食べられないことはない, "it's not that I can't eat it"; 間に合わないことはない, "we might just make it".

ないこともない is a softer version. Don't confuse it with ことはない alone (after a dictionary form), which means "there's no need to".

Examples

  • 納豆なっとうは食たべられないことはないけど、好すきではない。

    It's not that I can't eat natto, but I don't like it.

  • 行いけないことはないが、ちょっと遠とおい。

    I could go, but it's a bit far.

  • 急いそげば間まに合あわないことはない。

    If we hurry, we might just make it.

  • 分わからないこともないけど、説明せつめいが難むずかしい。

    It's not that I don't understand, but it's hard to explain.

  • 辛からい料理りょうりも食たべないことはないですよ。

    It's not that I never eat spicy food.

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