GE16 · Maybe: 〜かもしれません

Before you start

The sentences use words you already know, up to the elementary level, and assume basic grammar.

This lesson assumes what you saw in the earlier ones. If something feels shaky, go back to it:

• GE01say what you can do
• GE02say who gives what to whom
• GE03say what happens if or when
• GE04say what something looks like
• GE05say something is done or happened by mistake
• GE06say what always happens when…
• GE07say something happens anyway
• GE08speak as among friends
• GE09say how things are left and prepare
• GE10say what happens if…
• GE11say what is done to you
• GE12say someone makes or lets another do something
• GE13say what you've decided to do
• GE14say what you have to do
• GE15give several reasons

What you learn

〜かもしれません

• かもしれませんmaybe, might

かもしれません (maybe, might) follows the plain form. Nouns and な-adjectives drop だ: あめかもしれません (it might rain). Verbs and い-adjectives go as they are: こないかもしれません, たかいかもしれません.

• あしたは あめかもしれません。ashita wa ame kamoshiremasen.It might rain tomorrow.
• ぶちょうは こないかもしれません。buchou wa konai kamoshiremasen.The boss might not come.
• えいがは つまらないかもしれません。eiga wa tsumaranai kamoshiremasen.The film might be boring.
• でんしゃに おくれるかもしれません。densha ni okureru kamoshiremasen.I might miss the train.
• かぎを わすれたかもしれません。kagi o wasureta kamoshiremasen.I might have left my keys behind.
• レストランは たかいかもしれません。resutoran wa takai kamoshiremasen.The restaurant might be expensive.

Practice

A short text written only with the kana and grammar you already know. Read it and answer.