possible It is one of the indispensable adverbs in Italian and can mean “ever” or “never/not always”. It is pronounced the same as the English word “my”.it comes from latin magicianmeaning “more” or “bigger”.
possible
ever/never/never
when it means possible is a negative number (i.e. never/never), must appear together with a negative adverb No (no), resulting in a double negative. Unlike English, double negatives are perfectly acceptable in Italian—in fact, even three negatives can appear together in the same sentence!
I have never seen a kangaroo.
(Two negatives – non/mai)
I have never seen a kangaroo.
She has never dated anyone.
(three negatives – no/never/no one)
She never went out with anyone.
when it means possible It’s “ever”, which most often appears in questions.
Have you ever been to Brazil?
Have you ever been to Brazil?
Nonetheless, there are situations like this: possible (once) can also be found in statements, as shown in the example below.
If you need my help, you know where to find me.
If you need my help, you know where to find me.
In simple tenses, such as the present tense, possible Usually appears after conjugated verbs.
No I eat More meat.
I never eat meat.
In compound tenses, such as the present perfect tense, possible sandwiched between auxiliary verb (become or have) and past participle.
No arrive possible eat Sushi.
I’ve never had sushi.
It also occurs between a verb and its subordinate infinitive.
No want to possible return at home.
He never wants to go home.
also, possible Equivalent to ‘once‘In words like this who, any, no matter where, whenever, why everand any When used to emphasize a WH question, it usually expresses surprise or confusion. Note that in contemporary English we find this usage somewhat outdated, as we often tend to use “WH word + on Earth” for emphasis.
Why did you choose it?
Why (or “why”) did you choose it?
It is from this sentence structure that we get the widely used expression how come? Literally means “However,” but better understood as “Why/How (on Earth)?” or”how come?“
Why are you here so late?
Why are you here so late?
Speaking of common Italian expressions possiblelet’s take a quick look at it.
- if anything = (just in case → Bring a jacket to protect yourself from the cold. = Bring a jacket in case it gets cold.
- forever and ever = Never → I will never go back to that place. = I will never, ever go back to that place.
- never = never → I will never do this again! = I will never do this again!
- Now or never = Now or never → You have to make a decision: if you want to go, go now or never. = You have to make a decision: if you want to go, go now or never.
- more than ever = more than ever → Mateo is more stubborn than ever. = Mateo is more stubborn than ever.
Finally, let’s take a quick look at adverbs if anything,This is and (if) and possible (once). When used as a word, it usually carries the meaning “if any”, as follows:
If I had to say it, I would say exactly the opposite.
If I had to say it, I would say quite the opposite.
However, when written as two separate words, the meaning usually changes to “if ever” and, given its hypothetical nature, it must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. For example:
If you change your mind in the future, please let me know!
If you change your mind in the future, please let me know!
Is it comfortable for you to use? possible After reading this article? We hope so!
Heather Broster is a graduate with honors in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, fluent in English and Italian, as well as varying degrees of fluency in Japanese, Welsh and French. Originally from Toronto, Heather has lived in several countries, notably Italy for six years. Her main research areas are language acquisition, education and bilingual teaching.
