HomeGrammarJLPT N1Verb そうもない (〜sou mo nai)

Verb そうもない (〜sou mo nai)

JLPT N1

Explanation

Expresses negative potential; 'it doesn't seem like...', 'it's not likely...'.

Formation

Detailed explanation

~そうもない is used to express a low possibility or unlikelihood of something happening. It is typically attached to the ます-stem of a verb, similar to そうにない but with an even stronger sense of improbability in many contexts.

Examples

Kyōjū ni shigoto o oesō mo nai.

It doesn't seem like I'll finish my work today.

Ame ga yamisō mo nai.

It doesn't seem like the rain will stop.

Kare ga yakusoku o mamorisō mo nai.

It doesn't seem like he will keep his promise.

Kono muzukashii mondai wa kaiketsu shisō mo nai.

It doesn't seem like this difficult problem will be solved.

Practice

Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.