そうもない

Unlikely to

Level 2Sounds Like soumonai

そうもない (or そうにない) is used when you look at a situation and judge that there is 'no sign' or 'no possibility' of an event occurring. It is a subjective guess based on appearances.

How It Works

The grammar pattern そうもない is the negative counterpart to the appearance-based そう. While そう means 'looks like,' そうもない means 'doesn't look like it will.'

1. Formation:
It attaches to the ます-stem (continuative form) of verbs:

降る (ふり) + そうもない = 降りそうもない (Doesn't look like it will rain)
終わる (おわり) + そうもない = 終わりそうもない (Doesn't look like it will end)

2. Nuance of 'も':
While そうにない is the standard way to say 'unlikely,' adding も makes the statement more emphatic. It implies 'not even a sign' or 'no chance at all.'

3. Use with Potential Verbs:
It is very frequently paired with the potential form to express that something seems impossible to achieve.

できそうもない (Doesn't look like I can do it)
合格できそうもない (Doesn't look like I can pass)

4. Restrictions:
Unlike the affirmative そう, this specific negative form is generally not used with adjectives. For adjectives, you should use なさそう (e.g., おいしくなさそう).

Examples (4)

雨は当分やみそうもない。
It doesn't look like the rain will stop anytime soon.
Word by Word: Rain (topic) for the time being stop-looks-not-even.
The speaker observes the heavy rain and judges that there is no sign of it letting up.
この仕事は今日中に終わりそうもない。
It doesn't seem likely that this work will be finished by the end of today.
Word by Word: This work (topic) within today finish-looks-not-even.
Based on the current progress, the speaker feels it is impossible to meet the deadline.
今の実力では、あの大学には合格できそうもない。
With my current ability, it doesn't look like I'll be able to pass the entrance exam for that university.
Word by Word: Current ability with, that university (target) pass-can-looks-not-even.
Here, the potential verb 'can pass' (合格できる) is used to express a lack of confidence in the outcome.
彼は私の話を聞いてくれそうもない。
It doesn't look like he is going to listen to what I have to say.
Word by Word: He (topic) my story listen-give-looks-not-even.
The speaker is judging the person's current attitude or behavior.

Common Mistakes

Using with adjectives instead of verbs.
このケーキはおいしそうもない。
このケーキはおいしくなさそうだ。
そうもない is specifically for verbs. For adjectives, use the negative form of the adjective + なさそうだ.
Confusing it with personal intention.
私は明日学校に行きそうもない。
私は明日学校に行くつもりはない。
そうもない is for subjective judgment of likelihood, not for expressing your own will or intention. Use つもり for intentions.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

そうもないLevel 2Unlikely to

Learn This First

To understand 'そうもない', you first need to be familiar with the 'appearance' usage of 'そう' (looks like/seems). Since this pattern attaches to the verb stem, you must know how to identify the stem from the 'ます form'. Additionally, understanding the emphatic nature of the particle 'も' helps in grasping why this pattern expresses a stronger sense of 'unlikely' compared to a simple negative.

Words in This Pattern