Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 7: 3/17

ないものだろうか(Why) can’t, Isn’t there, Wish that, If only

Structure

Verb［できる］［ない］+ もの + （だろう）+ か

Details

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    Formal

  • Rare Kanji

    物

About Verb[ない]もの(だろう)か

When paired with negative expressions, the noun 物(もの) and either the sentence-ending particle か or a combination of だろう and か will indicate that the speaker wishes (A) were possible, but for some reason it is beyond their immediate capacity. This structure may be translated as 'if only (A)', or 'isn't there a way to (A)', but the literal translation is closer to 'I wonder if it really is a thing that can't (A)'.

This grammar pattern will primarily be seen attached to the negated form of verbs, but may also be used in reference to nouns when the ない is being used to indicate a lack of existence of (A), rather than a lack of ability to do (A).

As can be seen in these examples, the polite でしょう may replace だろう.

Additionally, similar structures such as かな or かしら may replace だろうか or でしょうか in more casual conversations.

Examples

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    電気(でんき)自動車(じどうしゃ)の値段(ねだん)はもう少(すこ)し安(やす)くできないものだろうか。

    Can't electric cars's price be a bit lower?

    上司(じょうし)、部下(ぶか)の提案(ていあん)への反応(はんのう)：「まあ機能(きのう)はするだろうね。ただちょっと気(き)になる部分(ぶぶん)があったから、他(ほか)にもっといい方法(ほうほう)はないものかなあ...」

    Superior, reacting to the subordinate proposal: 'Well, it will probably work. But there is a part that bothers me a bit. Is there no other, better way?'

    伝記(でんき)：「なんとかしてもっと操作(そうさ)しやすい携帯(けいたい)電話(でんわ)を作(つく)れないものかと、スティーブはいつも考(かんが)えていた。」

    Biography: 'Steven has been always thinking if there isn't some way he could make the smartphones easier to use.'

    インタビュー：「その時(とき)、工業(こうぎょう)製品(せいひん)の品質(ひんしつ)を何(なん)とか上(あ)げるようにできないものかと考(かんが)えました。」

    Interview: 'At that time, we were thinking if there isn't some way to increase the quality of our products.'

    テレビ番組(ばんぐみ)、刑事(けいじ)ゴンロポ：「そのことは問題(もんだい)になります。ついては今(いま)、ここでそれに対(たい)する説明(せつめい)をうかがえないものでしょうか？」
    容疑者(ようぎしゃ)：「そのことでしたら隠(かく)す理由(りゆう)もございません。私(わたし)は昨晩(さくばん)ずっと家(いえ)におりました。」

    TV show, detective Gonropo: 'This might be a problem. So, why can't I ask for an explanation about that right away?'
    Suspect: 'If it's this then there is nothing to hide. I have been at my house all night long. '

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      Verb[ない]もの(だろう)か – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

      • Redglare

        Redglare

        Hi~ I’m a bit confused about the SKM N1 Bunpou resource that is being referred to on this grammar point. It says page 117, but I can’t find anything that resembles もの(だろう)か on this page.

        Am I blind or could there be other versions of this book that I’m not aware of? (I think it’s worth noting that this page doesn’t look like most of the other pages that explains grammar structures which has been referenced by BunPro.)

      • nekoyama

        nekoyama

        It’s actually in the N2 grammar book on page 117 as ないもの(だろう)か.

      • Redglare

        Redglare

        Thanks, nekoyama! You’re right, it was in the N2 book all along, haha.

        @Jake Hi, could you be so kind and update the resource info for us, please?

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