Lesson 22
In this lesson, let’s have a look at the expression -(으)ㄹ 수도 있다. In fact, this is a combination of two grammar points that we covered in our previous lessons.
-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다 can be broken down into two parts:
- -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 was introduced in Level 2 Lesson 17 and it means “can, to be able to”.
- -도 was introduced in Level 2 Lesson 13 and it means “also, too”.
When these two expressions are combined into -(으)ㄹ 수도 있다, it means “it could...” “it’s possible that...” or “it might...”. In order to understand why -(으)ㄹ 수도 있다 takes such meanings, we need to have a closer look at the expression -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 first.
Basically, the word 수 is a noun that is most commonly used in this structure and means “way” “method” or “idea”. So -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 means “there is a way to do...”, “there is an idea for doing...” or “there is a possibility for doing...”.
Therefore, when the meaning of -도, which is “also” or “too”, is added to this, the sentence takes the meaning of “there is also the possibility of ...”.
So even though sometimes “-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다” COULD mean “to be also able to do something”, it usually means “it might” “it could” or “perhaps...”.
Examples
알다 = to know (something, someone)
--> 알 수도 있다 = might know (something, someone)
Ex) 제 친구가 알 수도 있어요.
= My friend might know (the person / the thing).
만나다 = to meet
--> 만날 수도 있다 = might meet
Ex) 내일 다시 만날 수도 있어요.
= We might meet again tomorrow.
작다 = to be small
--> 작을 수도 있어요 = might be small
Ex) 모자가 작을 수도 있어요.
= The hat could be small.
Sample sentences
- 저 내일 올 수도 있어요. = I might come here tomorrow.
- 저 내일 안 올 수도 있어요. = I might not come here tomorrow.
- 저 내일 못 올 수도 있어요. = I might not be able to come here tomorrow.
- 이거 가짜일 수도 있어요. = This might be fake.
- 정말 그럴 수도 있어요. = It might really be so.