Structure
Verb + とは限らない
[い]Adjective + とは限らない
[な]Adjective + だ + とは限らない
Noun + だ + とは限らない
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Formal
About とは限らない
とは限らない is regularly used to convey the meaning of '(A) is not necessarily so', or 'there is no guarantee that (A)'. This expression utilizes the case marking particle と in its use for highlighting results, the adverbial particle は, and the negated form of the う - Verb 限る 'to limit'.
This structure may be used with verbs, い-Adjectives, な-Adjectives, or nouns. However, だ will be required after な-Adjectives and nouns.
限らない literally means 'to not be bound', or 'to not be limited'. Therefore, despite と highlighting a result, that result is then being clarified as 'not the only possibility'.
Synonyms
ことにはならない
Just because… doesn't mean…
Not studied yet
というものでもない
There is no guarantee that…, Not necessarily
Not studied yet
というわけではない
It is not that, It doesn't mean that, It is not always the case
Not studied yet
必ずしも
Not always, Not entirely, Not necessarily
Not studied yet
ないことはない
Is not impossible, It doesn't mean that it isn't
Not studied yet
わけではない
It doesn't mean that, It is not the case, It's not like
Not studied yet
Antonyms
Examples
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にわとりは鳥ですが、飛べるとは限りません。
A chicken is a bird, but it does not necessarily mean it can fly.
誰もがお寿司が好きだとは限らない。
Not everyone necessarily likes sushi.
たとえどんなに緻密な計画を立てても、うまくいくとは限らない。
No matter how detailed your plan, it is not guaranteed to go well.
君の言うことがいつも正しいとは限らないでしょ。
The things you say are not necessarily always right.
勉強ができても、頭がいいとは限らない。
Just because one is good at studying, doesn't necessarily mean that he (she) is smart.
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