Grammar
N3 verb-grammar

Could not possibly 〜っこない

Meaning

A blunt, casual denial — "there is no chance ~", "could not possibly ~".

Formation

Notes

Spoken only, and emphatic: そんなの分かりっこない. Same force as わけがない but far more colloquial, so it is out of place in writing or polite speech. Cannot attach to a noun.

Examples

A question that hard? No chance I could work it out.

Breakdown
a hard question could not possibly understand

There is no chance of finishing in a day.

Breakdown
in one day cannot possibly finish

Without practice there is no way we can win.

Breakdown
if we do not practise cannot possibly win

Him coming? Impossible. I could never believe it.

Breakdown
impossible could not possibly believe

This much? I could never eat it all.

Breakdown
this much could not possibly eat

⚠️ Often confused with

That is why 〜わけだ

Draws a conclusion that follows naturally — "so that's why ~", "no wonder ~", "it works ou...

It is not that 〜わけではない

A partial denial — "it is not that ~", "that does not mean ~". Softens rather than rejects...

There is no way 〜わけがない

A flat denial of possibility — "there is no way ~", "it is impossible that ~".

Bound to be 〜に決まっている

Says an outcome is obvious — "of course ~", "it is bound to be ~".

Not necessarily 〜とは限らない

"Not necessarily ~", "it is not always the case that ~".

One should / used to 〜ものだ

Three uses: a general truth, nostalgia for what one used to do, and mild moral advice.

Merely 〜に過ぎない

"Merely ~", "no more than ~".

That is what ~ is 〜というものだ

"That is what ~ really is" — the speaker's verdict stated as a general truth.

Nothing other than 〜にほかならない

"Is nothing other than ~", "is precisely ~".