possible/pɔ.sibl/
adjective / adverb / noun · A1 · Frequency 453
adjective
Meanings
possible
Used to indicate that something can happen or be realized; common and neutral usage.
Examples
Il est possible de résoudre ce problème avant ce soir.
It is possible to solve this problem before tonight.
Un accord est possible si chacun accepte de faire un effort.
An agreement is possible if everyone agrees to make an effort.
Le retour le plus tôt possible aiderait toute l'équipe.
Returning as soon as possible would help the whole team.
Collocations
- le plus possibleas much as possible
Common mistakes
C'est posible de partir demain.
C'est possible de partir demain.
The lemma possible has two s’s; learners often omit one and write the nonexistent form posible.
Related words
adverb
Meanings
possibly
Used as an adverb to indicate that something may happen or exist; common in both spoken and written language.
Examples
Nous partirons demain, si possible.
We will leave tomorrow, if possible.
Le technicien passera cet après-midi, si possible.
The technician will come by this afternoon, if possible.
Réservez, si possible, une table près de la fenêtre.
Reserve a table near the window, if possible.
Collocations
- aider si possiblehelp if possible
- venir le plus tôt possiblecome as soon as possible
- faire tout son possibledo one's best
Common mistakes
possiblement
possible
The adverb 'possible' is often mistakenly written as 'possiblement', but the correct form is 'possible'.
Related words
synonyméventuellementpossibly
nounmasculine
Meanings
the possible, feasible, what can be done, achieved etc.
As a noun, it denotes something that can possibly happen or be achieved, commonly used in philosophical, logical, or everyday contexts.
Examples
Le possible dépend souvent des moyens dont on dispose.
What is possible often depends on the resources available to us.
Elle a fait tout le possible pour terminer le projet à temps.
She did everything possible to finish the project on time.
Le possible s'élargit lorsque l'équipe travaille ensemble.
What can be achieved expands when the team works together.
Collocations
- repousser les limites du possibleto push back the limits of what is possible
Common mistakes
la possible
le possible
The noun 'possible' is masculine and requires the masculine article 'le', not the feminine 'la'.
Related words
adjective
Meanings
possible
Used to indicate that something can happen or be realized; common and neutral usage.
Examples
Nous avons examiné toutes les solutions possibles avant de décider.
We examined all possible solutions before deciding.
Les horaires possibles seront présentés à l'équipe demain.
The possible schedules will be presented to the team tomorrow.
Les conséquences possibles de ce changement doivent être évaluées.
The possible consequences of this change must be assessed.
nounmasculine
Meanings
the possible, feasible, what can be done, achieved etc.
As a noun, it denotes something that can possibly happen or be achieved, commonly used in philosophical, logical, or everyday contexts.
Examples
Après avoir étudié les contraintes, nous devons distinguer les possibles des idées irréalistes.
After studying the constraints, we must distinguish what is feasible from unrealistic ideas.
L'équipe a examiné les possibles avant de choisir une stratégie.
The team considered the possible options before choosing a strategy.
Même dans une situation difficile, il faut explorer les possibles avec méthode.
Even in a difficult situation, we should methodically explore what is possible.