「〜にもなりかねない」- Potential to Lead to...

Explanation

「〜にもなりかねない」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express that a certain action or situation could potentially lead to a negative outcome. It carries the meaning of "could lead to..." or "might turn into..." and is often used to warn or remind someone of a potential danger or undesirable result.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Noun + にもなりかねない	Noun + にもなりかねない	Indicates that a certain action or situation could lead to a negative outcome.
Verb Dictionary Form + こと + にもなりかねない	Verb Dictionary Form + こと + にもなりかねない	Indicates that a certain action or situation could lead to a negative outcome.

Basic Usage

Connection

• Noun + にもなりかねない
• Verb Dictionary Form + こと + にもなりかねない

Meaning

• Indicates that a certain action or situation could lead to a negative outcome.

Examples

• そのその行動こうどうは事故じこにもなりかねない。
• Sono koudou wa jiko ni mo nari kanenai.
• That behavior could lead to an accident.
  

• 無理むりなダイエットダイエットは健康けんこう被害ひがいにもなりかねない。
• Muri na daietto wa kenkou higai ni mo nari kanenai.
• Overdoing a diet could harm your health.
  

• 彼かれの発言はつげんは誤解ごかいにもなりかねない。
• Kare no hatsugen wa gokai ni mo nari kanenai.
• His statement could lead to misunderstandings.
  

• このこのままままでは会社かいしゃの信用しんよう失墜しっついにもなりかねない。
• Kono mama de wa kaisha no shinyou shittsui ni mo nari kanenai.
• If things continue like this, it could lead to the company losing its credibility.
  

Comparison and Differences

Although both 「〜にもなりかねない」 and 「〜かもしれない」 express possibility, they differ in tone and usage.

Grammar Point	Tone	Usage Context
〜にもなりかねない	Warning or reminder	Often used for negative outcomes
〜かもしれない	Neutral	Can be used for both positive and negative outcomes

Examples:

• このこの計画けいかくは失敗しっぱいにもなりかねない。
• Kono keikaku wa shippai ni mo nari kanenai.
• This plan could lead to failure.
  

• このこの計画けいかくは成功せいこうかもしれない。
• Kono keikaku wa seikou kamoshirenai.
• This plan might succeed.
  

Deep Dive

「〜にもなりかねない」 is primarily used to express that a certain action or situation could lead to a negative outcome, often carrying a tone of warning or caution. It is commonly used in formal or written contexts to emphasize potential dangers or undesirable results.

Summary

「〜にもなりかねない」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express that a certain action or situation could potentially lead to a negative outcome. Mastering this pattern allows you to effectively communicate potential dangers or undesirable results in both everyday conversations and formal settings.