そうもない
Very unlikely to, Does not seem that, Does not appear that
Structure
Explanation
The expression そうもない is used after a verb to convey that there is little to no chance of an action taking place. It is formed from the auxiliary verb そう, the emphatic adverbial particle も, and the い-Adjective ない.
As a review, そう is often used to describe how something appears to be. As such, そうもない can be literally understood as 'does not even appear to be (A)'. This grammar structure attaches to the conjunctive form (or ます-stem) of a verb.
- パソコンが壊れているから、今日中にレポートは終わりそうもない。My computer is broken, so it looks like there's no way I'll finish this report today.
- こんなに道が混んでいたら、約束の時間に間に合いそうもない。With the roads this congested, it doesn't look like we'll make it in time for our appointment.
Caution
The grammar point そうもない is quite close in meaning to そうにない. The main distinction is that そうもない carries a stronger sense of improbability. This is because も adds emphasis, often highlighting something as surprising or beyond expectation, whereas に is a more neutral particle indicating a state. The nuance can be thought of like this:
(A) そうもない - It doesn't even seem like (A) will happen.
(A) そうにない - It doesn't seem like (A) will happen.
Caution
そうもない frequently pairs with potential form verbs to stress that the 'possibility' of doing something appears to be zero. Although it translates to 'it doesn't seem like (A) can be done', the feeling it conveys is much more forceful, closer to saying there is 'no chance whatsoever' or 'it seems impossible to do (A)'.
- この問題は難しすぎて、一人では解けそうもない。This problem is so difficult, there's no way I can solve it by myself.
- 熱がまだ高いから、明日の試合には出られそうもない。I still have a high fever, so it's looking like I won't be able to play in tomorrow's game.
Examples
あのチームは強すぎるから、勝てそうもない。
That team is too strong, so it's very unlikely that we'll be able to win.
宿題が山ほどあるから、今日中には終わりそうもない。
I have a mountain of homework, so it's very unlikely it will be finished by the end of today.
このひどい風邪は、なかなか治りそうもない。
It seems very unlikely that this terrible cold will get better anytime soon.
部屋がごちゃごちゃで、なくした鍵は見つかりそうもない。
My room is such a mess, it's very unlikely I'll find my lost keys.
もうこんな時間か。タクシーで行っても間に合いそうもない。
Is it that late already? It's very unlikely I'll make it in time, even if I take a taxi.
雨は一向に止みそうもない。
The rain shows no sign of stopping at all.
彼は深く眠っているから、揺さぶっても起きそうもない。
He's sound asleep, so it's very unlikely he'll wake up even if you shake him.
そんな嘘みたいな話、誰も信じてくれそうもない。
It is very unlikely anyone would believe a story like that.
この単語リストは長すぎて、一日では覚えられそうもない。
This vocabulary list is too long; it's very unlikely I'll be able to memorize it in one day.
あの棚は高すぎて、手が届きそうもない。
That shelf is too high, so it's very unlikely I'll be able to reach it.
こんなデザインじゃ、この商品は売れそうもない。
With a design like this, it's very unlikely this product will sell.
専門的すぎて、私には理解できそうもない。
It's too technical, so it's very unlikely I'll be able to understand it.