Decoded Slug: ～ないこともない (〜nai koto mo nai)
Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
～ないこともない (〜nai koto mo nai)
～ないこともない (〜nai koto mo nai)
Short explanation:
Used to express an action or state is 'not impossible', but emphasizes reluctance or doubt.
Formation:
Verb-ないForm + こともない, い-adjective + こともない
Examples:
この問題を解くことはできないこともないけど、難しいです。
Kono mondai wo toku koto wa dekinai koto mo nai kedo, muzukashii desu.
It's not that I can't solve this problem, but it's difficult.
彼に会わないこともないが、あまり話す時間がない。
Kare ni awanai koto mo nai ga, amari hanasu jikan ga nai.
It's not that I can't meet him, but there's not much time to talk.
お金がないこともないけれど、節約した方がいい。
O-kane ga nai koto mo nai keredo, setsuyaku shita hou ga ii.
It's not that I don't have money, but it's better to save.
このゲームが面白くないこともないが、他のゲームの方が楽しい。
Kono geemu ga omoshirokunai koto mo nai ga, hoka no geemu no hou ga tanoshii.
It's not that this game isn't interesting, but other games are more fun.
Long explanation:
The ～ないこともない grammar point is used to express that something is not impossible, but the speaker is reluctant, has doubts or deems it as a less favorable option. It can be translated as 'not that one can't', 'not that it's impossible', or 'it's not out of the question'.
