得る・
Attach 得る or 得ない to a verb stem to say that an event, outcome, or interpretation is possible or impossible in principle. The affirmative can also be read える.
What this form evaluates
This form evaluates the possibility of the whole event rather than a person's learned skill. It is useful when discussing causes, interpretations, future developments, and outcomes that could arise under certain conditions.
Possibility in analytical statements
Both affirmative readings occur, but their naturalness varies with the verb. The negative consistently uses えない.
小さな入力ミスが重大な事故につながりうる。
A small input error can lead to a serious accident.
Analyzeこの方法なら、誤差をさらに小さくし得る。
With this method, it is possible to reduce the margin of error further.
AnalyzeThis is a favorable possible outcome, not a warning about risk.
その解釈も十分にあり得る。
That interpretation is also entirely possible.
Analyzeこれらの要因だけでは、この変化は説明し得ない。
These factors alone cannot account for this change.
AnalyzeAbility, uncertainty, and risk
The ordinary potential form directly expresses what someone can do or what circumstances allow. かもしれない is the usual conversational way to give an uncertain estimate about a specific situation. かねない warns that an undesirable result may occur. By contrast, 得る neutrally judges an event or outcome to be possible in principle.
A common conversational expression
彼が予定を知らなかったってことはない？
Could he have been unaware of the schedule?
Analyzeそれはあり得ないよ。昨日、本人も一覧を確認していたから。
That's impossible. He checked the list himself yesterday.
Analyzeあり得ない is much less bookish than many newly formed combinations and often means “impossible” or “no way” in conversation.
More examples
技術の進歩によって、治療期間を短縮し得る。
Advances in technology may make it possible to shorten the treatment period.
Analyze一つの判断が組織全体に影響を及ぼしうる。
A single decision can affect the entire organization.
Analyzeそのような誤解は誰にでも起こり得る。
That kind of misunderstanding can happen to anyone.
Analyzeこの資料だけでは結論を導き得ない。
No conclusion can be drawn from this material alone.
Analyze当時は予測し得なかった変化だ。
It was a change that could not have been predicted at the time.
Analyzeそんな偶然、本当にあり得るの？
Could a coincidence like that really happen?
Analyze