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Vague Expressions ④: How to Use 「〜のようです」
02/19/2026
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Vague Expressions ③: How to Use 「〜ではないでしょうか」
Kotoba Drill Editor
Today's theme
「〜ではないでしょうか」 helps you share ideas with care for the other person.
Because it does not sound final, it feels like a soft suggestion.
At the same time, if the usage is wrong, it can sound:
- roundabout
- not confident
- unclear
So today, we will learn when to use it and how to rephrase it together.
「〜ではないでしょうか」 is a soft way to suggest and seek agreement
「〜ではないでしょうか」 has these functions:
- It avoids pushing your idea one-sidedly.
- It leaves space for the other person to reply.
- It keeps the conversation moving.
It is common in meetings, class discussions, and everyday consultations.
You can include the feeling of "What do you think?" inside one sentence.
| Wording | How it sounds |
|---|---|
| 「〜です。」 | Clear judgment, close to a decision. |
| 「〜と思います。」 | The speaker's opinion is shown. |
| 「〜ではないでしょうか。」 | A suggestion that asks for agreement. |
Difference from 「〜と思います」
These two are close in meaning, but their focus is different.
「この方法がよいと思います。」 (I think this method is good.)
「この方法がよいのではないでしょうか。」 (Wouldn't this method be good?)
- 「〜と思います」 -> Focus on the speaker's opinion
- 「〜ではないでしょうか」 -> Focus on agreement with the other person
「〜ではないでしょうか」 gives the other person time to think and respond.
That makes it very useful in discussion scenes.
Sentence form and how to build it
You can make 「〜ではないでしょうか」 with noun, adjective, and verb sentences.
The basic pattern is to add 「ではないでしょうか」 after a normal sentence.
| Sentence type | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | Noun + 「ではないでしょうか」 | 「この案が最善ではないでしょうか。」 (Wouldn't this plan be the best?) |
| i-adjective | i-adjective + 「のではないでしょうか」 | 「この説明は長いのではないでしょうか。」 (Isn't this explanation long?) |
| na-adjective | na-adjective + 「なのではないでしょうか」 | 「この手順は安全なのではないでしょうか。」 (Isn't this process safe?) |
| Verb | Plain form + 「のではないでしょうか」 | 「先に確認したほうがよいのではないでしょうか。」 (Wouldn't it be better to check first?) |
Adding 「の」 often makes the sentence sound more natural.
In casual speech, people may use forms close to 「〜んじゃないですか」, but in this article we use polite forms.
Scene ①: when you want to make a soft proposal
Use it in meetings or consultations when you want to respect the other person's position.
- 「この案で進めましょう。」 (Let's go with this plan.)
-> 「この案で進めるのがよいのではないでしょうか。」 (Wouldn't it be better to proceed with this plan?)
The second version helps because:
- The other person can say yes or offer another idea.
- Discussion is less likely to stop.
- It does not sound like a strong command.
Scene ②: when you want to draw out the other person's thoughts
It also works for checking and aligning ideas.
- 「問題があります。」 (There is a problem.)
-> 「問題があるのではないでしょうか。」 (Could there be a problem?)
If you say 「あります」 directly, the atmosphere can become hard to challenge.
With 「〜ではないでしょうか」, the other person can share reasons more easily.
For example:
- 「この数字は少し高いのではないでしょうか。」 (Isn't this number a little high?)
- 「この予定は少しきびしいのではないでしょうか。」 (Isn't this schedule a little tight?)
Both lines create an entry point for discussion.
Caution: 「〜ではないでしょうか」 can become roundabout
This expression is useful, but using it in every sentence can have the opposite effect.
- It may look like no one is deciding.
- It may look like someone is avoiding responsibility.
- The conversation may move slowly.
Especially in these scenes:
- when you must announce a final decision
- when you are the one giving instructions
- when time is limited
In those cases, choose a clearer sentence.
When 「〜ではないでしょうか」 fits and when it does not
| Fits | Does not fit |
|---|---|
| When making proposals | When giving a final decision |
| Early stage of opinion exchange | When clear instructions are needed |
| When you want to hear the other person's view | When immediate action is required |
| Early phase of consensus building | When responsibility must be explicit |
It is important to switch between soft forms and direct forms by situation.
Rephrasing options (with kana（かな（ひらがなよみ））＋ IPA)
Adjust sentence strength by your purpose.
| Rephrase type | Goal | Japanese example | Reading (kana（かな（ひらがなよみ））) | Pronunciation (IPA) | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suggest and seek agreement | Make a soft proposal | 「この案がよいのではないでしょうか。」 (Wouldn't this plan be good?) | (この あん が よい の では ない でしょうか) | [ko̞no̞ aɴ ɡa̠ jo̞i no̞ de̞wa nai de̞ɕoːka] | Leaves room for response |
| State your opinion | Show speaker stance | 「私はこの案がよいと思います。」 (I think this plan is good.) | (わたし は この あん が よい と おもいます) | [wataɕi wa ko̞no̞ aɴ ɡa̠ jo̞i to̞ o̞mo̞imasɯ] | Clarifies whose opinion it is |
| Raise an issue softly | Check without confrontation | 「この点は問題があるのではないでしょうか。」 (Might there be a problem at this point?) | (この てん は もんだい が ある の では ない でしょうか) | [ko̞no̞ te̞ɴ wa mo̞ɴdai ɡa̠ aɾɯ no̞ de̞wa nai de̞ɕoːka] | Makes disagreement easier |
| State a fact clearly | Communicate judgment | 「この点は問題があります。」 (There is a problem at this point.) | (この てん は もんだい が あります) | [ko̞no̞ te̞ɴ wa mo̞ɴdai ɡa̠ aɾimasɯ] | Good when quick action is needed |
| Use another polite proposal | Invite participation | 「まずA案から試すのはどうでしょうか。」 (How about trying Plan A first?) | (まず えーあん から ためす の は どう でしょうか) | [mazɯ eːaɴ kaɾa tame̞sɯ no̞ wa doː de̞ɕoːka] | Makes it collaborative |
| Announce a decision | Make conclusion clear | 「今日はこの案で進めます。」 (We will proceed with this plan today.) | (きょう は この あん で すすめます) | [kʲo̞ː wa ko̞no̞ aɴ de sɯsɯmemasɯ] | Moves the discussion forward |
Note
IPA is approximate. Vowel length and the sound of 「ん」 change a little by speaker. Check with kana too.
Practical switching examples (daily life and work｜with kana（かな（ひらがなよみ））＋ IPA)
Even with the same message, changing the sentence by scene improves communication.
| Scene | Intention | Better wording | Reading (kana（かな（ひらがなよみ））) | Pronunciation (IPA) | Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily life (family planning) | Make a soft proposal | 「明日は朝に出るほうがよいのではないでしょうか。」 (Wouldn't it be better to leave in the morning tomorrow?) | (あした は あさ に でる ほう が よい の では ない でしょうか) | [aɕita wa asa ni de̞ɾɯ hoː ɡa̠ jo̞i no̞ de̞wa nai de̞ɕoːka] | Easier for others to disagree politely |
| School (group presentation) | Confirm group agreement | 「この順番で説明するのがよいのではないでしょうか。」 (Wouldn't this order be good for explaining?) | (この じゅんばん で せつめい する の が よい の では ない でしょうか) | [ko̞no̞ dʑɯmba̠ɴ de̞ se̞tsɯme̞ː sɯɾɯ no̞ ɡa̠ jo̞i no̞ de̞wa nai de̞ɕoːka] | Good starting point for consensus |
| Work (meeting) | Raise a concern | 「この予定は少しきびしいのではないでしょうか。」 (Isn't this schedule a little tight?) | (この よてい は すこし きびしい の では ない でしょうか) | [ko̞no̞ jo̞te̞ː wa sɯko̞ɕi kʲibiɕiː no̞ de̞wa nai de̞ɕoːka] | Softens possible conflict |
| Work (final decision) | Give a clear conclusion | 「今日はこの案で進めます。」 (We will proceed with this plan today.) | (きょう は この あん で すすめます) | [kʲo̞ː wa ko̞no̞ aɴ de sɯsɯmemasɯ] | Switch to decisive wording |
| Daily life (with friends) | Propose and check together | 「先にチケットを買うのがよいのではないでしょうか。」 (Wouldn't it be better to buy tickets first?) | (さき に ちけっと を かう の が よい の では ない でしょうか) | [sakʲi ni tɕike̞tːo o̞ kaɯ no̞ ɡa̠ jo̞i no̞ de̞wa nai de̞ɕoːka] | Gently encourages action |
| Work (instruction) | Clarify required action | 「先に資料を送ってください。」 (Please send the documents first.) | (さき に しりょう を おくって ください) | [sakʲi ni ɕiɾʲoː o̞ o̞kɯtːe̞ kɯda̠sai] | Best when quick action is needed |
Small tips for better clarity
1) Decide the purpose of each sentence
If you decide your purpose first, picking the right form gets easier.
- Want to suggest -> use 「〜ではないでしょうか」
- Want to express your view -> use 「〜と思います」
- Want to decide -> use 「〜です」 or 「〜します」
2) Add one short reason
One short reason helps the listener decide.
- 「この案がよいのではないでしょうか。」 (Wouldn't this plan be good?)
- 「時間を節約できるので、この案がよいのではないでしょうか。」 (Because it saves time, wouldn't this plan be good?)
3) End with a direct sentence when closing discussion
If you keep soft proposal forms all the way, the conclusion can disappear.
Close with a decision sentence so the next action is clear.
Common mistakes and fixes
| Common sentence | What is the issue? | Fix (example) |
|---|---|---|
| 「この案で進めるのではないでしょうかでしょうか。」 | 「でしょうか」 is repeated | 「この案で進めるのではないでしょうか。」 |
| 「今日は中止ではないでしょうか。」 | Too weak in a decision scene | 「今日は中止です。」 |
| Using 「〜ではないでしょうか」 for everything | Hard to see the conclusion | Use 「〜ではないでしょうか」 for proposals and 「〜です」 for decisions |
Summary
「〜ではないでしょうか」 is useful for:
- making suggestions softer
- asking for agreement
- keeping discussion open
But if you overuse it, it can sound:
- roundabout
- undecided
- unclear in responsibility
So switch by scene:
- proposal form: 「〜ではないでしょうか」
- opinion form: 「〜と思います」
- decision form: 「〜です」 / 「〜します」
Bonus
