Technology in everyday life
2.2 H Bienfaits et dangers
Il est possible que + subjunctive
Il est possible que is followed by a verb in the subjunctive. With most regular verbs you will easily
recognise the verb, e.g.
Il est possible que mes parents m’achètent un nouveau portable.
My parents may buy me a new mobile.
With irregular verbs however, it is not always obvious. Learn how to recognise the following:
The best way to translate such a phrase into English is to start with the subject of the verb in the
subjunctive, then the word ‘may’, then the verb itself, e.g.
Il est possible que je sois libre ce soir. I may be free tonight.
1 Match each French sentence with its English equivalent.
1 Il est possible que ça provoque un cancer du cerveau.
2 Il est possible qu’elle échoue.
3 Il est possible qu’il s’abîme les yeux.
4 Il est possible qu’il la séduise.
5 Il est possible qu’il ait un bon résultat.
a He may damage his eyes.
b She may be won over by him.
c It may cause brain cancer.
d He may have a good result.
e She may fail.
2 Reorder the words in each sentence so that they make sense.
1 Possible elle il ait Noël est qu’ un pour smartphone.
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2 Qu’ victime possible soit d’un il vol est d’identité elle.
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3 Est qu’ en aillent France possible ils il.
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4 Asocial il est qu’ il possible devienne.
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5 Il je que libre est sois possible.
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