69035
This sentence recently appeared in one of my N1 training books:

> 彼女が合格する可能性は **なきにしもあらず** だが、彼がパスする可能性は **なき** にひとしい。
>
> My translation: While she may have a slight chance of passing the exam, it
> is hopeless for him. (lit. his chances are the same as nothing)

Is [なきにしもあらず~なきに] a set phrase that often/always comes as a pair? Or can I use
「なきにしもあらず」 also without the following contrasting 「なきに」 and still sound
natural?
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-23T19:16:00.423
69028
2019-06-24T16:04:22.303
2020-06-17T08:18:27.500
-1
31624
question
grammar set-phrases word-usage
Is なきにしもあらず~なきに a set phrase?
無きにしもあらず ("not zero", "cannot say never") and
[無きに等しい](https://thesaurus.weblio.jp/content/%E7%84%A1%E3%81%8D%E3%81%AB%E7%AD%89%E3%81%97%E3%81%84)
("virtually zero", "nearly no") are two different set phrases which are not
directly related to each other. You can safely use one of them without using
the other.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-24T01:10:30.627
69035
2019-06-24T01:10:30.627
5010
69028
answer