GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜といえなくもない
Cautiously acknowledges that a claim may hold from a certain perspective without fully agreeing with it.
Examples
この小さな改善も、長期的には大きな一歩といえなくもない。
Even this small improvement could be called a major step in the long run.
Words used
この案も一つの解決策といえなくもない。
This proposal could also be considered one possible solution.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
といえなくもないto the content of a claim to cautiously allow that it could hold without fully committing to it. - Basic usage:
この案も一つの解決策といえなくもない。tentatively allows that this proposal could count as one solution.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Double negation and strength of commitment
解決策とはいえないdenies that it can readily be called a solution.解決策といえなくもないsoftens that negative but remains more guarded than the direct assertion解決策だ.