Subjective modal verb 'könnte' (possibility)

Used subjectively, the modal verb könnte expresses a possibility - the speaker thinks something might or could be true. Compared with müsste/dürfte (which signal high probability), könnte is the most tentative: it leaves the matter genuinely open.

It is formed with the Konjunktiv II form könnte plus an infinitive:

• Das könnte stimmen. - That might be true.
• Sie könnte schon zu Hause sein. - She could already be home.
• Es könnte morgen regnen. - It might rain tomorrow.

The construction reports a guess about what might be the case, not an ability (the objective können). Adverbs such as vielleicht or durchaus often accompany it.

Common mistakes:

• Confusing subjective könnte (possibility) with the objective können (ability/permission): Er kann schwimmen = he can swim; Er könnte recht haben = he might be right.
• Choosing könnte when a stronger inference is intended - for high probability use müsste or dürfte instead.
• Slipping into the indicative kann, which weakens the speculative meaning.

Subjective 'könnte' expresses a possibility (might / could be).

Subjective use: something is possible (might / could be).

Subjektives 'könnte' drückt eine Möglichkeit aus.