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JLPT N3 · Sentence patterns

とは限（かぎ）らない (towa kagiranai)

とは限らない — “not necessarily ～”

In short · Plain form + とは限らない means “it is not always the case that ～; not necessarily ～.” It denies a general belief, saying there are exceptions. It is often used with 必ずしも or いつも.
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Pattern

  • 普通形 ＋ とは限らない plain form + とは限らない (いいとは限らない)
  • 必ずしも ＋ 普通形 ＋ とは限らない 必ずしも…とは限らない: not always (emphasized)

Meaning and connection

限る means “to limit.” とは限らない says that something is not limited to being true. 高いものがいいとは限らない (Expensive things are not necessarily good). With nouns and な-adjectives, だ is dropped: 有名な店が必ずおいしいとは限らない.

Partial negation

It does not deny completely; it means there are cases when it is true and cases when it is not. For a total denial, you would use ～ない or 決して〜ない.

With 必ずしも

必ずしも is often added to stress the “not always” meaning: 必ずしも正しいとは限らない. It is common in opinions and essays.

Examples

  • 高（たか）いものがいいとは限（かぎ）らない。

    Takai mono ga ii towa kagiranai.

    Expensive things aren't necessarily good.

  • 有名（ゆうめい）な店（みせ）が、必（かなら）ずおいしいとは限（かぎ）らない。

    Yūmei na mise ga, kanarazu oishii towa kagiranai.

    A famous restaurant isn't necessarily delicious.

  • お金（かね）があれば幸（しあわ）せだとは限（かぎ）らない。

    Okane ga areba shiawase da towa kagiranai.

    Having money doesn't necessarily mean you are happy.

Common mistakes

  • It only denies “always.” To say something never happens, do not use it.
  • Do not use it for the speaker's own plan or wish. It is a general statement.

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