Pouvait-on (en. Could we)

/pu.vɛ.t‿ɔ̃/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Interrogative form of the verb "to be able" in the imperfect tense, indicating a possibility in the past.

Could one have imagined such a situation?

Pouvait-on imaginer une telle situation ?

Used to ask a question about the ability or permission in the past.

Could one believe that he was going to succeed?

Pouvait-on croire qu'il allait réussir ?

Expression often used to introduce a hypothesis.

Did one really wonder if everything was alright?

Se demandait-on vraiment si tout allait bien ?

Form of the imperfect tense of the verb "to be able," which comes from the Latin 'posse.'