ないものでもない

It’s not impossible / It’s not that ~ cannot be done (reserved, cautious affirmation) Used to say that something is possible, but only to a limited extent, and often with hesitation or reservation.

N1

Meaning

It’s not impossible / It’s not that ~ cannot be done (reserved, cautious affirmation) Used to say that something is possible, but only to a limited extent, and often with hesitation or reservation.

Formation

Verb (dictionary form) + ないものでもない
Verb (potential form) + ないものでもない

Explanation

ないものでもない is a formal, indirect expression used to say that something is not completely impossible, but the speaker does not strongly assert feasibility.

The key idea is:

“It may be possible, but there are limits or concerns.”

Key nuance:

  • Weak, cautious affirmation

  • Sounds:

    • reserved

    • analytical

    • non-committal

  • Often implies:

    • difficulty

    • conditions

    • drawbacks

  • Common in:

    • discussions

    • evaluations

    • opinion writing

    • JLPT N1 reading passages

This grammar is frequently used when the speaker wants to avoid making a strong claim, especially in formal or professional contexts.