かねないmight well (something bad)
"Might well": what is happening or being done could lead to something bad. You will meet it in news and warnings. It is not usually for something you hope for.
Speeding could well lead to a serious accident.
If the situation is left unattended, the damage could spread further.
How to form it
Verb ます-stem + かねない
なります → なりかねない, 誤解します → 誤解しかねない. Polite: かねません.
- Before it
- What could go wrong, often with なる, つながる (lead to), 招く (bring about), 損なう (damage) or 誤解する (misunderstand).
- Earlier in the sentence
- Usually what could bring it on: the cause as the topic (スピードの出しすぎは), このままでは (at this rate), or an "if" clause with ば.
- Tone
- A warning, and often a criticism of whoever is letting it happen.
かねる and かねない
In form かねない is the negative of かねる ("not unable to"), but they are used as two separate expressions: かねる is "cannot", and かねない is "might well".
かねるN2
"Cannot": the polite, formal refusal of service language, or a mind that can't settle on something.
We are unable to accommodate your request.
In use
A vague explanation could backfire and leave users distrustful.
Even well-intended advice can hurt the other person, depending on how it is phrased.
Excessive price reductions could damage trust in the brand.
あの人ならやりかねない
About a person, it says you wouldn't put it past them. That is a verdict on their character.
I wouldn't put it past him.
If cornered, he might well betray his own colleagues.
Not usually for what you hope for
Not said: 頑張れば、
(If you work hard, you might well pass the exam.)
合格できるかもしれない.
Close neighbours
おそれがあるN2
"There is a risk that": the wording of official warnings and the news. It announces a risk and blames no one.
Heavy snow may delay deliveries.
かもしれないN4
"Might": the everyday word, for good news and bad alike, with no warning in it.
There may still be some tickets left.
Check yourself
1What does this mean?
対応が
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits?
明日は
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
Looking back, かねなかった is "could well have": it came close, and didn't happen.
One wrong step and it could have been a major accident.
More sentences
A careless remark could develop into a diplomatic issue.
Failing to perform the safety checks could cause a serious accident.
If readers see only these figures, they may misunderstand the situation.
An unfounded rumor could damage the company's credibility.
At this rate, we may end up missing the deadline.