Japatan
Formation
- Vます形 + かねない
Explanation
Means "there is a risk that something bad will happen" or "one might end up doing ~." The form is negative, but the meaning is positive (it could happen). It is only used for bad results. It often appears with このままでは or 〜たら to express warning or worry. It can also predict a bad action from someone's character, as in あの人なら〜かねない.
Examples
そんなに無理をしたら、体を壊しかねないよ。
If you push yourself that hard, you might ruin your health.
確認しないでメールを送ると、大きな誤解を生みかねない。
Sending an email without checking it could cause a big misunderstanding.
地図を見ないで山に入ると、道に迷いかねない。
If you go into the mountains without looking at a map, you could easily get lost.
忘れっぽい兄のことだから、約束の日を間違えかねない。
Knowing my forgetful brother, he might well get the date of the appointment wrong.
Notes
It looks like かねる (cannot) but means something completely different. It cannot be used for good results (✗ 毎日練習すれば勝ちかねない).
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1寝不足のまま車を運転すると、事故を起こし（ ）。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 4 かねない
"If you drive without enough sleep, you might cause an accident." かねない expresses the risk of a bad result. かねる means "cannot," which is the opposite.
2このままのペースで作業を続けると、締め切りに間に合わなくなり（ ）。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 かねない
"If we keep working at this pace, we may end up missing the deadline." かねない shows the risk of a bad result. The other choices mean "cannot" or "hard to."
3「かねない」の使い方が正しい文はどれですか。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 鍵をかけないで出かけると、泥棒に入られかねない。
3 means "If you go out without locking the door, a burglar might get in." 1, 2 and 4 are good results, so かねない cannot be used.
