というものではない・
People assume a simple rule: say sorry and it's settled, work hard and you will succeed. You say it isn't that simple. The one thing may count, but it doesn't decide the matter.
It's not as if saying sorry is all it takes.
It isn't as simple as "work hard and you are sure to succeed".
How to form it
Plain form + というものではない／というものでもない
Most often after ば: …ばいいというものではない. A noun or な-adjective can keep だ or drop it: 公平（だ）というものではない. In conversation, ってもんじゃない.
- Which one
- でもない is a shade softer: "not really … either".
- Tone
- A firm opinion. In conversation, often a telling-off.
- Where you'll meet it
- Essays, opinion columns, advice, debate, and everyday arguments.
In use
Just because someone went to a famous university doesn't mean they can get results at work.
It's not as if the more information you have, the more useful it is.
It's not as if cheap is all that matters, you know.
A rule, not one fact
It rejects a rule for how things work: do this and all is well. One fact about one person or one day takes わけではない.
I will miss the meeting, but that does not mean I oppose the proposal.
One fact about you.
Not said: 会議を
(I will miss the meeting, but that does not mean I oppose the proposal.)
There is no rule here to reject.
Close neighbours
わけではないN3
"It's not that…": takes back any conclusion, about one person or in general.
I chose the online course, but that does not mean I dislike learning in a classroom.
とは限らないN3
"Not always": the rule is usually true, but has exceptions. というものではない says the rule itself is too simple.
Expensive products don't always last long.
Without という, after something a person chooses to do: "shouldn't".
You don't say things like that.
Other forms built on もの
というものだN2
"That is what you'd call …": a verdict.
Helping each other when things are hard: that is what friendship is.
ものがあるN2
"There is something … about it": a quality that strikes you.
There is something about her singing that moves people.
"I'd love to", "I do wish they would": a wish said with feeling.
Just once, I'd love to see the northern lights.
"Isn't there some way to …?": you wonder, hoping or worrying.
This heat: can't something be done about it?
After a potential verb (会える), "if I only could". After a volitional form (言おう), "if you so much as …".
If only I could, I would see my late grandfather once more.
Check yourself
1What does this mean?
外国語は、
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits?
今日は
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
Simply adding more videos does not make a course good.
Reading a lot of books doesn't by itself make you a good writer.
Rules aren't fair just because they are detailed.
Just because a method worked in the past doesn't mean it will work this time too.