Breakdown of Può darsi che arrivi tardi stasera.
arrivare
to arrive
tardi
late
stasera
tonight / this evening
può darsi
maybe, it may be
Questions & Answers about Può darsi che arrivi tardi stasera.
Wait, if the lesson is about probability words taking the indicative mood, why does this sentence use the subjunctive (arrivi)?
Because può darsi che isn't an adverb like forse or probabilmente; it's an impersonal verb phrase ending in che (meaning "it is possible that"). Expressions of uncertainty or possibility followed by che almost always trigger the subjunctive mood in Italian.
How would this sentence change if I used a probability adverb like forse or probabilmente instead?
What exactly does può darsi mean literally?
It translates literally as "it can give itself" (può + darsi). It functions as a very common set phrase meaning "it's possible" or "maybe".
Since arrivi is the present subjunctive, it can mean "I arrive", "you arrive", or "he/she arrives". How do we know it means "he"?
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