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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜はずがない

    〜はずがない

    〜はずがない

    This means you are sure something is not true. You have a good reason to believe it is impossible.

    N3KMT4NeutralStandardNominal ConstructionMixedStrong Negation Or ImpossibilityGrammar

    Verb [dictionary form] + はずがないPrimary
    い-Adjective + はずがない
    な-Adjective + な + はずがない
    Noun + の + はずがない

    This means you are sure something is not true. You have a good reason to believe it is impossible.

    あの真ま面じ目めな彼かれが、約やく束そくを忘わすれるはずがない。

    There's no way that serious guy would forget a promise.

    NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingConjecturalFamily & RelationshipsEmotions & Psychology
    昨きの日う、家いえにいたと言いっていたから、彼かれがその事じ件けんの犯はん人にんであるはずがありません。

    He said he was at home yesterday, so it's impossible that he is the culprit in that incident.

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingEmphaticDaily Life
    彼かれが来こないはずがない。きっと道みちに迷まよっているんだ。

    It can't be that he's not coming. He must be lost.

    CasualNon PastNegativeSentence EndingConjecturalDaily Life
    その理り論ろんが正ただしいはずがないと、多おおくの科か学がく者しゃが主しゅ張ちょうしている。

    Many scientists are arguing that the theory cannot possibly be correct.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceEmphaticScience & MathEducation
    計けい画かくは完かん璧ぺきだったから、失しっ敗ぱいするはずがなかったんだ。

    The plan was perfect, so there was no way it could have failed.

    CasualPastAffirmativeSentence EndingConjecturalWork & CareerCore Concepts

    This phrase is like a strong, locked door. You are very sure something cannot happen. You have good reasons for this. It is not just a guess.

    Both 'はずがない' and 'わけがない' mean something is not true. But 'はずがない' uses facts to say something is impossible. For example, 'He studied a lot, so he can't fail.' 'わけがない' means something is impossible because it just doesn't make sense. For example, 'I can't beat a pro player.'

    Don't use this when you decide not to do something. For example, don't say "I won't go to the meeting" with 〜はずがない. That sounds strange.

    Often confused with(1)

    〜わけがない

    This means 'there is no way that...' or 'it's impossible that...'. You use it when you are sure something cannot be true.

    More formal alternatives(1)

    〜っこない

    This means 'no way' or 'impossible'. You use it when you strongly believe something cannot happen.

    Less formal alternatives(1)

    〜どころではない

    This means you cannot do something. It is not the right time or place. Something else is more important right now.

    辞書形

    This is the basic form of a verb. It is what you find in a dictionary. You use it to make other verb forms.

    〜い / 〜かった

    This is the basic form of an い-adjective. It describes a quality of something. You use it for present or past qualities.

    〜だ / 〜だった

    This means 'is' or 'was'. It is the casual way to say 〜です and 〜でした.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    often_confused_with

    • 〜わけがない

    more_formal_than

    • 〜っこない

    less_formal_than

    • 〜どころではない

    prerequisite

    • 辞書形
    • 〜い / 〜かった
    • 〜だ / 〜だった
    • 〜まじ

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