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〜のではないか・〜んじゃない

I think maybe; isn't it the case that

Plain form + のではないか / んじゃない(か) (な-adj, Noun + な)

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のではないか puts forward an opinion tentatively, as a question that expects "yes": 彼はもう帰ったのではないかと思う, "I think he may have gone home already". It's softer than stating it and firmer than かもしれない.

The polite form のではないでしょうか is a standard way to disagree or suggest something at work: このままでは間に合わないのではないでしょうか, "at this rate, won't we be too late?"

In speech, it becomes んじゃない?, "isn't it…?": それ、ちょっと高すぎるんじゃない?, "isn't that a bit too expensive?" んじゃないかな is "I think maybe".

Note that the ない here isn't really negative: the speaker thinks it is the case.

Examples

  • 彼かれはもう帰かえったのではないかと思おもう。

    I think he may have already gone home.

  • このままでは間まに合あわないのではないでしょうか。

    At this rate, won't we be too late?

  • それ、ちょっと高たかすぎるんじゃない?

    Isn't that a bit too expensive?

  • 田中たなかさんなら知しっているんじゃないかな。

    I think Tanaka might know.

  • 明日あしたは雨あめが降ふるのではないかと心配しんぱいだ。

    I'm worried it might rain tomorrow.

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