～かねない
kanenai
Might; could unfortunately
Formation 接続
Full formation notes
V stem + かねない
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation 説明
Predicts an undesirable possibility; distinguish かねる expressing difficulty or inability to comply.
Examples 例文
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そんな態度では、うそをつきかねない。
With that attitude, someone might well tell a lie.
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そんな態度では、秘密を漏らしかねない。
With that attitude, someone might well reveal the secret.
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そんな態度では、約束を破りかねない。
With that attitude, someone might well break a promise.
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そんな態度では、仲間を裏切りかねない。
With that attitude, someone might well betray one's teammates.
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そんな態度では、責任を放棄しかねない。
With that attitude, someone might well abandon one's responsibilities.
How related patterns differ 比較
かねる expresses inability to comply; かねない predicts something unwelcome. 恐れがある warns of risk, while 得る marks possibility. すべがない lacks a method; べくもない and 到底～ない emphasize infeasibility.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ～かねない | Might; could unfortunately | そんな態度では、うそをつきかねない。 With that attitude, someone might well tell a lie. |
| ～得る - 得ない | Can or cannot possibly happen | 入力ミスは誰にでも起こり得る。 Data-entry mistakes can happen to anyone. |
| ～かねる | Be unable to; find it difficult to | 今は会議の日程を変更しかねます。 We are unable to change the date of the meeting at present. |
| ～とうてい | Cannot possibly; by no means | 一分では、到底資料を確認することはできない。 It is simply not possible to check the documents in one minute. |
| ～恐れがある | There is a risk that; may | 大雪で会議が延期される恐れがある。 There is a risk that the meeting will be postponed because of heavy snow. |
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