it’s possible / by Anthony Gibbins

The Latin Verb fio, fieri, factus sum is a strange beast indeed. Of events or physical phenomena it means to take place, to occur, to arise. lux fiat! Let there be light! But it also supplies the Passive form of facio, facere, feci, factum to make or do. populus Caesarem dictatorem facit. The people are making Caesar a dictator. Caesar a populo dictator fit. Caesar is being made a dictator by the people.

The Verb possum, posse, potui means to be able. linguam Latinam legere potes. You able to read the Latin language. linguam Latinam legere possum. I am able to read the Latin language. Marcellus linguam Latinam legere potest. Marcellus is able to read the Latin language. lingua Latina legi potest. The Latin language is able to be read. legi potest. It is able to be read. [id] fieri potest. It is able to come about. This last expression, [id] fieri potest, is the Latin equivalent of the English it is possible.

On today’s page, the expression is kept simple, id fieri potest It is possible. More often we would say ‘It is possible that…’. This is achieved in Latin with the word ut followed by a Verb in the Subjunctive Mood. involucrum in sacco est. The envelope is in the sack. fieri potest ut involucrum in sacco sit. It is possible that the envelope is in the sack.

‘No,’ Alan responds. But, having swept the floor, I placed all the hair(s) in a big sack. Perhaps I accidently (casu) put your envelope in this sack. It is possible.’