This means something is possible. It shows that a situation can happen. It is used in formal writing.
Verb [stem] + 得るPrimary
This means something is possible. It shows that a situation can happen. It is used in formal writing.
事故は予期せぬ時に起こり得るものだ。
Accidents are things that can happen at unexpected times.
この計画には、まだ改善し得る点がいくつかある。
In this plan, there are still several points that can be improved.
彼の証言が嘘であるとは、到底考え得ない。
It is utterly inconceivable that his testimony could be a lie.
当時の技術でなし得た、最高の建築物だと言われている。
It is said to be the greatest structure that could be achieved with the technology of the time.
この問題には、我々がまだ気づいていない解決策が存在し得る。
For this problem, solutions may exist that we haven't yet noticed.
This word can be read in two ways. 'Uru' is used when it describes a noun. 'Eru' is used for other forms, like when it ends a sentence. The negative form is always 'enai'.
This is different from "can do" forms like 〜れる・られる or 〜ことができる. Those forms talk about what a person can do, like "I can swim." 〜得る talks about what might happen. It means "it is possible that X will happen." It does not talk about what a person can do. It is also more formal.
Don't use this when talking about simple actions. For example, don't say "食べ得る" (tabe-uru) for "can eat." This grammar is for ideas or events. It means something is likely or could happen. It is not for physical ability.
Often confused with(1)
Contrasts with(1)
More formal alternatives(1)
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