Breakdown of ممکن بود او در آن رودخانه غرق بشود.
او
he/she
آن
that
بودنbudan
to be
درdar
in
رودخانهrudkhâne
river
ممکنmomken
possible
غرق شدنgharq shodan
to drown
Questions & Answers about ممکن بود او در آن رودخانه غرق بشود.
Why do we use the present subjunctive بشود for something in the past ("could have drowned")?
When expressing a past possibility with ممکن بود (literally "it was possible"), Farsi often follows it with a present subjunctive verb. You are essentially saying "It was possible that he drown." The past time frame is already established by the verb بود.
Can I use احتمال داشت in this sentence instead?
Yes, احتمال داشت means exactly the same thing. You could say احتمال داشت او در آن رودخانه غرق بشود and it would still mean "He could have drowned in that river." Both phrases are completely interchangeable for past possibility.
Is it also possible to use the past subjunctive for the main verb?
Yes! While the present subjunctive (غرق بشود) is perfectly normal here, you will also frequently hear the past subjunctive (غرق شده باشد). Both constructions correctly translate to "could have drowned" after ممکن بود.
How does the verb for "drown" work in this sentence?
The verb is غرق شدن (to drown), which is a compound verb made of غرق (submerged or drowned) and شدن (to become). In the subjunctive, شدن becomes بشود, giving us غرق بشود.
Learn ممکن بود او در آن رودخانه غرق بشود and more in Farsi
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free