〜ないことはない
JLPT N3:it's not that (I) can't
A double negative that grudgingly admits something: "it's not that…not", "I suppose I could".
How to form it
- Put the verb or adjective in the ない form and add ことはない: 食べられないことはない (it's not that I can't eat it).
- It usually hints at a reservation, often with が or けど after it.
Examples
食べられないことはないが、あまり好きではない。
It's not that I can't eat it, but I don't really like it.
一人でできないことはない。
I suppose I could do it on my own.
Common mistakes
- Confusing it with 〜ことはない (no need to), which follows the dictionary form.
- Taking it as an eager yes. It is a hedge.
Similar meaning
- 〜わけではないit's not that
"It's not that…": softens a statement.
Same form, different meaning
- 〜ことはないthere's no need to
Dictionary form + ことはない: "there's no need to".