May, Might, Could

Level 6

A subjunctive in a main clause with no ut, ne or si can mean may, might or could.

How It Works

LatinMeaning
dicat aliquissomeone may say
quis dubitet?who could doubt?
hoc dixerimI would say this
hoc non dixerimI would not say this
putares eum esse regemyou would have thought he was a king

The perfect dixerim is common in first-person opinions, as in crediderim (I would believe).

Compare the jussive: ne dubitet means let him not doubt, which is a command, not a possibility.

The present form often gives a plain possibility, and the perfect form often gives a careful opinion in the first person. English uses may, might, could or would for both.

Examples (4)

  1. Dicat aliquis: Hoc verum non est.

    Someone may say, This is not true.

    Dicat is a present subjunctive standing alone: someone may say.

  2. Quis dubitet?

    Who could doubt?

    A question with a potential subjunctive.

  3. Hoc dixerim.

    I would say this.

    The perfect subjunctive dixerim gives a careful opinion.

  4. Putares eum esse regem.

    You would have thought he was a king.

    Putares is an imperfect subjunctive that looks back to the past.

Common Mistakes

  • Making a potential subjunctive negative with ne.

    Hoc ne dixerim.
    Hoc non dixerim.

    The negative of a potential subjunctive is non. Ne belongs to wishes and commands, so Hoc ne dixerim does not give the meaning I would not say this.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

May, Might, CouldLevel 6

Learn This First

The potential subjunctive says what could happen, so the deliberative subjunctive and the perfect subjunctive come first.