GRAMMAR DETAIL

〜かねない

might · could well

Warns that an undesirable event may occur or expresses concern about that possibility.

Examples

確認を怠ると、重大な事故が生じかねない。

Neglecting to check could lead to a serious accident.

そのまま放置すれば、問題が大きくなりかねない。

If it is left as it is, the problem could become worse.

誤った情報は人々を混乱させかねない。

Incorrect information could confuse people.

Structure: Attach かねない to a verb's masu-stem to express the possibility of an undesirable development.
Basic usage: そのまま放置すれば、問題が大きくなりかねない。 expresses concern that leaving the matter unattended could make it worse.

Meaning compared with かねる
- 答えかねる means finding it difficult to answer, whereas 誤解を招きかねない means that something could cause misunderstanding. Despite ない, the latter warns that the event may occur.
Connection after inflection
- 大きくなる becomes 大きくなりかねない, and 混乱させる becomes 混乱させかねない. First form the change-of-state or causative verb, then attach the expression to its stem.