شاید + Subjunctive

Expressing a Possibility

Level 3

Let شاید introduce the possibility and the verb identify the event.

How It Works

Compare شاید بلال آئے and شاید مریم آئے. The names change, but the singular subjunctive stays آئے. With a group, use آئیں.

Use نہ for a negative possibility: شاید وہ نہ آئے. This means the arrival may fail to happen; it is not an instruction forbidding arrival.

شاید also occurs with other verbal forms. A progressive such as پڑھ رہی ہو suggests an action possibly underway, whereas the simple subjunctive does not itself supply progressive meaning.

Examples (4)

  1. شاید مریم شام کو آئے۔

    Perhaps Maryam will come in the evening.

    The simple subjunctive presents a possible later event.

  2. شاید بچے جلد سو جائیں۔

    The children may go to sleep early.

    The plural subject selects جائیں.

  3. شاید وہ آج فون نہ کرے۔

    They may not call today.

    The singular referent’s gender is unspecified; نہ negates the possible call.

  4. شاید مریم ابھی پڑھ رہی ہو۔

    Maryam may be reading now.

    The progressive part supplies the ongoing-action meaning.

How It Connects

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

شاید + SubjunctiveLevel 3Expressing a Possibility

Learn This First

Choose a subjunctive form for an uncertain event.

Words in This Pattern

شاید