〜とは限らない to wa kagiranai

〜とは限らない(to wa kagiranai)means “not necessarily ~; it isn't always the case that ~”. States that a general assumption or expectation is not always true—there are exceptions. Formation: V/イA/ナA/N(普通形) + とは限らない(ナA・N は「だ」を残すのが普通)

not necessarily ~; it isn't always the case that ~

N3

Formation

V/イA/ナA/N(普通形) + とは限らない(ナA・N は「だ」を残すのが普通)

Explanation

States that a general assumption or expectation is not always true—there are exceptions. Often paired with 必ずしも, からといって, or みんな/いつも to stress the exception.

Examples

高い物がいい物だとは限らない
たかいものがいいものだとはかぎらない。
Expensive things aren't necessarily good things.
お金持ちが幸せだとは限らない
おかねもちがしあわせだとはかぎらない。
Rich people aren't necessarily happy.

Note

With a na-adjective or noun, the plain だ is usually kept before とは限らない (e.g. 幸せだとは限らない).

FAQ

〜とは限らない — what does it mean and how is it used?

not necessarily ~; it isn't always the case that ~. States that a general assumption or expectation is not always true—there are exceptions. Often paired with 必ずしも, からといって, or みんな/いつも to stress the exception.

〜とは限らない — how do you form it?

V/イA/ナA/N(普通形) + とは限らない(ナA・N は「だ」を残すのが普通)

〜とは限らない — any usage notes?

With a na-adjective or noun, the plain だ is usually kept before とは限らない (e.g. 幸せだとは限らない).

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