Possibility
Could this happen, or is it possible to do it?
Significado
Possibility means that something can happen or can be done, without saying that it will. It can describe what might be true or what the situation makes possible. Languages use helper verbs, endings, or words such as maybe, and some have no special verb form for this. Unlike Ability, Possibility need not depend on anyone's skill or strength.
Como identificar
Look for an event or action presented as possible, without a claim that it is certain to happen.
Na tua língua materna
Poder followed by an infinitive, the verb form used to name an action, expresses something that may happen or be possible. In everyday speech, dá para expresses whether the situation allows an action. Talvez and pode ser que commonly take the subjunctive (subjuntivo), a verb form used here for an uncertain situation.
Pode chover mais tarde.
Dá para pagar com cartão?
Dá para asks whether this payment method is available.
Talvez a loja ainda esteja aberta.
Esteja is the subjunctive form used for the uncertain state.
Na tua língua de aprendizagem
English uses may, might, and could before a verb without to to express a possible event or situation. Can often describes what is possible in general or in given circumstances, rather than a guess about one event. Maybe often goes at the start of a sentence and is written as one word.
Ella might be at home.
The speaker considers this possible but does not know whether it is true.
Maybe we'll take the train.
Maybe is one word and makes the plan uncertain.
It can get cold here at night.
Can describes a general possibility, not a prediction about tonight.
Learners whose language uses the same form for a general possibility and an uncertain specific event may use can where may, might, or could is needed. Learners whose language uses one expression where English distinguishes maybe and may be may confuse these two forms.