Log inSign up

Возможно, он дома.

Возможно, он дома.
Perhaps he is at home.
From Lesson 139:Past and future impersonals (было, будет)·Russian

Questions & Answers about Возможно, он дома.

How does возможно relate to this lesson's topic of impersonal expressions?
While here возможно is used as an introductory word meaning "perhaps", it is originally a predicative adverb meaning "it is possible". To say "it was possible" or "it will be possible", you would apply this lesson's rules and add neuter verbs: было возможно or будет возможно.
If I want to say "Perhaps he was at home", do I change возможно to было возможно?
No. When возможно is used to mean "perhaps", it acts as a fixed introductory word and never changes. You only change the main part of the sentence by adding the past tense of "to be". "Perhaps he was at home" is Возможно, он был дома.
Why is it дома and not в доме?
Дома is a special adverb that simply means "at home" (the general concept of being at your place). If you say в доме, it literally means physically "inside the house" (for example, as opposed to being out in the yard).
Why is there a comma after Возможно?
In Russian, introductory words that show your attitude or level of certainty about a statement—like возможно (perhaps) or конечно (of course)—must be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma.

Learn Возможно, он дома and more in Russian

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
Start learning Russian →