érhetik

Érhetik is a finite verb form in Hungarian used to express potentiality or possibility with a third-person plural subject. It is commonly glossed in English as “they may reach” or “they could reach,” depending on context and mood. The form typically appears in constructions where the speaker attributes a possible outcome to multiple subjects.

Formation and morphology

Érhetik is built from a stem related to the verb-root associated with reaching or attaining, combined with the modal suffix -het, which signals potential mood, and the personal ending -ik for the third-person plural. In practice, érhetik appears in phrases where the meaning centers on what a group could accomplish. In many contexts, the same modal idea can appear with other stems or in related forms, such as érhetelnek/elérhetik, depending on the exact verb and construction.

Usage

This form is more common in written and formal Hungarian or in grammatical discussions than in everyday conversation. It expresses that a group has the possibility or potential to achieve or reach something, rather than stating an actual achievement. In sentences, érhetik is often followed by an object or by a complementary infinitive with verbs like elérni (to reach) or megvalósítani (to realize).

Examples

- A kutatók érhetik el a célt a további kísérletek alapján. (The researchers may reach the goal based on further experiments.)

- A piac elemzése szerint a vállalat érhetik el a kitűzött növekedési célt. (According to the market analysis, the company could reach its set growth target.)

Relation to other forms

Érhetik is part of the broader Hungarian modal system that uses -het/-hat to express possibility. It is often contrasted with more certain forms (érhetik el) in contexts where the speaker want to emphasize uncertainty or likelihood. See also Hungarian grammar, modal mood, elérni (to reach).