Expressing Uncertainty
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Vocabulário
- 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.
Expressões
- 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
Erros frequentes
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
Quiz rápido
Pergunta 1 de 5
Como se diz «conjecture / guess» em japonês?
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