mögliches

Mögliches is the neuter singular inflected form of the German adjective möglich, used before a neuter noun to express that something is potentially true or achievable. Examples include ein mögliches Ergebnis, ein mögliches Risiko and mehrere mögliche Ursachen. The form m ö g l i c h e s appears after an indefinite article or without an article (ein mögliches Ziel, mögliches Szenario). When used attributively with feminine or plural nouns, the endings change (mögliche Ergebnisse, mögliche Ursachen).

As a noun, the word can be capitalized as das Mögliche and functions as a standalone concept meaning “the possible” or “the realm of possibility.” In this use, it refers to what could be the case, rather than to a specific item. The phrase Das Mögliche wird oft in philosophy, linguistics and everyday language to discuss potential outcomes, possibilities and contingent facts, contrasted with the Notwendige (the necessary) and das Unmögliche (the impossible).

Usage notes and related terms: möglich is frequently paired with ist or kann to form statements about possibility (Es ist möglich; Es könnte sein). The corresponding noun for the general idea of possibility is die Möglichkeit, while the adverb form is möglicherweise (“possibly” or “perhaps”). Distinguishing between possible as an adjective (möglich) and the noun das Mögliche helps clarify whether one speaks of a quality of a noun (mögliches Ergebnis) or of the abstract notion (das Mögliche).

Etymology: möglich derives from Old High German muglih/muglich, from a root related to ability or capability, with the adjectival suffix -lich. The meaning evolved from “capable” to “able to occur or be” and then to “possible.”