Grammar › N2 · 08 Inference and judgment

〜のではないか: I wonder if; isn't it that

N2 · 08 Inference and judgment

Gently suggests that something may be the case.

Plain form + のではないか (spoken: んじゃないか). Used to give your own opinion or guess in a soft way. With a falling tone it is a guess; with a rising tone it asks for agreement. Polite form: 〜のではないでしょうか.

Examples

この計画けいかくは少すこし無理むりがあるのではないでしょうか。

Isn't this plan a bit unrealistic?

彼かれはもう会社を辞かいしゃをやめたんじゃないかと思おもう。

I think he may have already quit the company.

Study 〜のではないか in the course →