ないとも限らない means not necessarily; I can’t say that; maybe; might ~. It is a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that something is not impossible—there is a slight possibility, often contrary to what the speaker assumes or hopes.
This grammar point often appears in formal discussions, warnings, speculative statements, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to express that you cannot rule out a possibility, especially when you’d prefer it not to happen, ないとも限らない is a useful pattern to learn because it adds a cautious, precise tone to your Japanese.
If you want to express that you cannot entirely deny the chance something might happen, ないとも限らない is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.
What does ないとも限らない mean?
Use ないとも限らない when you want to express that you cannot deny the possibility of something—usually an event you don’t expect or an outcome you’d rather avoid. It is formed by attaching とも限らない to the negative form of a verb or adjective, creating a double negative that softens into “it could happen” or “I wouldn’t rule it out.”
Natural translations include:
- not necessarily; I can’t say that…; maybe; might ~
Notice whether the speaker is cautioning someone, speculating about an uncertain future, or reluctantly admitting a possibility.
How to form ないとも限らない
Attach とも限らない to the negative plain form of a verb or adjective. The result is a fixed phrase that never conjugates further in the sentence.
Examples of the pattern:
- 降らないとも限らない
- 難しくないとも限らない
- 本当ではないとも限らない
In JLPT questions, wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach とも限らない directly to a plain positive form — that won’t work.
When is ないとも限らない used?
Use ないとも限らない in situations like:
- warning someone not to assume a negative outcome is guaranteed
- expressing speculative or cautious thoughts about future possibilities
- acknowledging a risk or uncomfortable alternative in formal or thoughtful speech
Tone and register:
- Formal, cautious, sometimes a bit distant; very natural in news commentary, business discussions, and polite warnings
- Common in test questions, essays, formal speech, and JLPT N1 reading
ないとも限らない example sentences
After reading each sentence, ask what job ないとも限らない is doing: it stops the speaker from making a definite negative claim and leaves room for an unwelcome or unexpected possibility.
Nuance of ないとも限らない
The key nuance is a cautious admission that the negative outcome cannot be completely ruled out — often with a sense of wariness or reluctance.
This matters because learners sometimes treat it as a simple “maybe.” In fact, the pattern often carries a subtle emotional weight: the speaker is not just tossing out a neutral possibility; they are bracing for something that would be contrary to their hopes or expectations.
For example:
- When planning an outdoor event, saying 雨が降らないとも限らない shows you are preparing for a scenario you’d rather avoid.
- Compared with a plain かもしれない, it suggests the speaker is actively pushing back against an assumption of safety.
ないとも限らない vs ないものでもない
Both ないとも限らない and ないものでもない express that a negative event is not impossible, but they carry different shades.
If both translations seem possible, check the speaker’s stance. Is the sentence a warning (use ないとも限らない) or a hesitant concession (use ないものでもない)?
Common mistakes with ないとも限らない
Watch out for these mistakes:
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with ないとも限らない, then rewrite it with ないものでもない (see section 6). If the nuance changes, explain that difference in your own words.
Is ないとも限らない on the JLPT?
Yes. ないとも限らない is commonly taught as JLPT N1 grammar.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.
Practice questions for ないとも限らない
Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the cautious nuance becomes clear.
Learning path for ないとも限らない
To learn ないとも限らない efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.
Related grammar to review next
- ないまでも — expresses “even if not…, at least…” and shares a similar pattern of setting limits on what can be said with certainty.
- ないものでもない — the direct comparison point; also uses a double negative to admit a minimal possibility.
- ないものか・ないものだろうか — expresses a strong desire for something to happen, the polar opposite of the reluctant admission in ないとも限らない.
- なくしては — means “without…, … not possible,” emphasizing a necessary condition, which contrasts with the speculative “might still happen” of ないとも限らない.
Learn ないとも限らない with Hane
If you want to review ないとも限らない together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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FAQ about ないとも限らない
What does ないとも限らない (nai tomo kagiranai) mean in Japanese?
ないとも限らない (nai tomo kagiranai) means “not necessarily; I can't say that; maybe; might”. It is JLPT N1 grammar. Use ないとも限らない when you want to express that you cannot deny the possibility of something—usually an event you don’t expect or an outcome you’d rather avoid.
How do you form ないとも限らない (nai tomo kagiranai)?
Attach とも限らない to the negative plain form of a verb or adjective. The result is a fixed phrase that never conjugates further in the sentence.
What is the difference between ないとも限らない and ないものでもない?
ないとも限らない: Cautious admission; often used for events the speaker wants to avoid. ないものでもない: Grudging or minimal admission; “it’s not entirely impossible” but with a hint that there is still some positive side, or a very small chance.
What is an example sentence with ないとも限らない (nai tomo kagiranai)?
明日雨が降らないとも限らないから、傘を持っていこう。 — It might rain tomorrow, so let’s take an umbrella.