Irányulhatnak

Irányulhatnak is a Hungarian verb form that expresses the potential direction or tendency of multiple subjects. It is the third-person plural form in the potential mood of the verb irányul, which means “to be directed toward” or “to tend toward.” The literal sense is “they may be directed toward” or “they may tend toward.”

Form and grammar: irányulhatnak is formed from irányul (to be directed toward) plus the potential suffix -hat/-het and the finite present-plural ending -nak/-nek. Therefore, irányulhatnak is used for plural subjects in the present potential mood: “they may be directed toward.”

Usage: The form is used mainly in formal or analytical contexts to discuss possible directions of processes, resources, policies, or other collective phenomena. Examples include: A beruházások irányulhatnak a külföldi piacok felé. (Investments may be directed toward foreign markets.) A kampányok irányulhatnak a fiatalabb közönség felé. (Campaigns may be directed toward younger audiences.)

Notes: irányulhatnak should be distinguished from irányulnak, which is the indicative present form for “they are directed toward.” The potential form irányulhatnak is more common in formal writing, planning documents, and linguistic or policy analyses.