GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜ではない
Negates a present state or judgment after a noun or descriptive expression in plain style.
Examples
この道は安全ではない。
This road is not safe.
Words used
その答えは間違いではない。
That answer is not wrong.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Add
ではないafter a noun or a na-adjective stem. - Basic usage: It negates a state or judgment in plain style, as in
この道は安全ではない。.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Adjective class
安全ではないnegates a na-adjective, while the i-adjective高いbecomes高くない. Choose the form required by the word class even when meanings are similar.
- Contraction and past tense
- In conversation, it can contract to
じゃない; the past form isではなかった. Contraction and tense are separate changes.
- In conversation, it can contract to