Expressing Uncertainty
Vocabulary
- かもしれないがit may be, but
- と思われるit is thought that
- 必ずしもnot necessarily
- 一概にunconditionally / sweepingly
- 断言するassert / declare
- 推測するconjecture / guess
- 見込みprospect / expectation
- 可能性があるthere is a possibility
- 不確実なuncertain
- 判然としないnot clear / unclear
Expressing Uncertainty in Japanese
At C1, expressing nuanced uncertainty is crucial for academic writing and sophisticated discussion.
～かもしれないが (kamoshirenai ga) concedes a possibility while introducing a contrasting point: "it may be that... but."
彼の意見は正しいかもしれないが、根拠が不十分だ。
*His opinion may be correct, but the evidence is insufficient.*
～と思われる (to omowareru) is the passive of 思う and means "it is thought that" or "it appears." It distances the speaker from a direct claim, common in academic Japanese.
この結果は信頼性が高いと思われる。
*This result is thought to be highly reliable.*
Use かもしれないが when you want to acknowledge an opposing view before presenting your own. Use と思われる in formal writing when presenting conclusions that are well-supported but not absolute. Combine with 必ずしも (not necessarily) and 一概に (unconditionally) plus a negative to add further hedging.
Expressions
- 正しいかもしれないがIt may be correct, but...
- 効果的だと思われるIt is thought to be effective
- 必ずしも正確ではないNot necessarily accurate
- 一概には言えないCannot say unconditionally
- 断言はできないがI cannot assert, but...
- 見込みは低いと推測されるIt is conjectured the prospect is low
Common mistakes
正しいかもしれないだが正しいかもしれないがDo not add だ before が; かもしれない already ends the clause
と思う（academic writing）と思われるUse passive と思われる in academic writing for objectivity, not と思う
必ず正確ではない必ずしも正確ではない必ずしも (not necessarily) needs しも; 必ず alone means certainly
一概に言えない一概には言えないAdd は after に for proper emphasis: 一概には言えない
断言できるないが断言できないがThe negative of できる is できない, not できるない
Quick quiz
Question 1 of 5
How do you say “conjecture / guess” in Japanese?
The real Japanese tutor lives in the app
Reading is a start — Mio is built for practice. The app adds everything the web can’t do:
- Talk
Real voice conversations with your AI tutor
- Listening
Short stories and dialogues with comprehension questions
- Smart flashcards
Spaced repetition that shows words right before you forget them
- Your coach Mio
Tracks your mistakes and builds a daily plan around your weak spots