What does ～なくもない mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

A cautious affirmation via double negation; slightly softer than 「なくはない」.

• 「～なくもない」 = "it's not that it's not...", i.e. partly true but noncommittal. Double negation.
• Attaches to the NEGATIVE stem of the verb (待たない → 待たなくもない), NOT the dictionary form.
• Close to 「～なくはない」 (see that entry); the 「も」 form is softer and vaguer.

Examples

• もうすぐ戻(もど)るなら、待(ま)たなくもない。

  If he’s coming back soon, I suppose I could wait.

• 役(やく)に立(た)つなら、買(か)わなくもない。

  If it’s useful, I wouldn’t necessarily refuse to buy it.

Keep in mind

• Attaches to the negative stem, not the dictionary form.
• A cautious affirmation.

Common mistakes

• Wrong待(ま)つなくもない。

  It's not that I won't wait.

  Correct待(ま)たなくもない。

  Must attach to the NEGATIVE stem (待たない → 待た), not the dictionary form 「待つ」.

• Wrong必(かなら)ず行(い)かなくもない。

  Well, it's not that I won't go.

  Correctまあ、行(い)かなくもない。

  This pattern is a CAUTIOUS affirmation, which contradicts 「必ず」.

Exam tips

• 「なくもない」 = it's not that it's not...; attaches to the NEGATIVE stem (待たなくもない).

Related patterns

• ～なくはない
• ～ないこともない
• ～ないものでもない