Posted inN2 Grammar

Mastering 得る (Eru / Uru): Expressing Possibility in Japanese

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

得る (える / うる) is a suffix verb used to express possibility, potential, or capability.

🎯 Primary Function

To indicate that something is possible or can happen, often in a formal, objective, or theoretical sense.

📋 Grammar Structure

Verb ます-stem + 得る(える / うる)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Frequently used in formal speeches, academic writing, news reports, and business contexts.

😊 Informal Situations

Rarely used. Sounds unnatural and overly stiff in casual conversation.

✍️ Written Language

Commonly appears in written materials such as articles, reports, research papers, and official documents.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used less frequently than in writing, generally reserved for formal discussions, presentations, or objective statements.

💡 Common Applications

Expressing objective possibility
Indicates that an event or outcome is possible based on circumstances, logic, or potential risks.
Example: この計画にはリスクが伴う得る。 (This plan could involve risks.)
Referring to potential or capability
Suggests that something is capable of achieving a certain state or result.
Example: 彼はその困難を乗り越え得る力を持っている。 (He possesses the strength to overcome that difficulty.)
In fixed phrases
Used in certain common expressions like あり得る (ariuru – possible), なし得る (nashiuru – impossible), etc.
Example: そのような事態はあり得る。 (That kind of situation is possible.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent in formal or written contexts; infrequent in casual spoken Japanese.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate to Advanced (N2). Understanding the nuances of formality and objective possibility is key.
Example Sentences
今後、同様の問題が発生し得る。
Similar problems could occur in the future.
彼ならこの難しい交渉を成功させ得るだろう。
If it’s him, he could probably succeed in this difficult negotiation.
予測し得ない事態に備える必要がある。
We need to prepare for unpredictable situations.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Formality
得る is significantly more formal than ことができる and should be used in appropriate contexts.
Example: カジュアル: これは起こる可能性があるね。 フォーマル: この事態は起こり得る。
える vs. うる
While both readings exist, える is more common when attached to a verb ます-stem. うる is primarily used in the fixed phrases ありうる (possible) and なしうる (impossible).
Example: あり得る (ありうる) is standard, not ありえる.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using 得る in casual conversation.
✅ Use ことができる or other more casual expressions like 「〜かもしれない」「〜可能性がある」.
得る sounds overly stiff and unnatural in informal settings.
❌ Confusing える and うる usage.
✅ Remember that うる is mainly for ありうる and なしうる; える is for other verbs (e.g., 起こりえる, 影響を与ええる).
Incorrect usage of える/うる can sound unnatural.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Formal/Polite.
Social Situations: Academic discussions, news reporting, business presentations, formal writing.
Regional Variations: Usage is standard across regions, but frequency varies depending on formality of context.

🔍 Subtle Differences

得る vs. ことができる
得る focuses on objective, inherent possibility or potential. ことができる can express both objective possibility and subjective ability.
When to use: Use 得る for formal contexts, objective possibility, and potential outcomes. Use ことができる for general possibility and personal ability.
〜かもしれない vs. 得る
〜かもしれない expresses possibility based on speculation. 得る expresses possibility based on logical potential or circumstances.
When to use: Use 〜かもしれない for softer, speculative possibility. Use 得る for more definite, objective possibility, especially in formal contexts.
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When to use: undefined

📝 Conjugation Notes

Attaches to the ます-stem of verbs (e.g., 起こります -> 起こり得る). The negative form is 得ない (えない). Past tense: 得た (えた). Te-form: 得て (えて).

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Generally read as える when attached to verbs (e.g., 起こりえる – okori-eru). Read as うる primarily in ありうる (ari-uru) and なしうる (nashi-uru). Pay attention to the context.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of 得る as “obtainable” or “achievable” possibility, often associated with formal situations and objective potential. Associate うる with the common phrase ありうる.

Practice Exercises
Choose the most appropriate sentence using 得る:
A. 私は明日早く起き得る。
B. この方法はコスト削減に繋がり得る。
C. 彼は日本語を話し得る。
D. 友達とカフェに行き得る。
Fill in the blank: そのような非常識な行動は_______。
A. し得る
B. あり得る
C. 起こり得る
D. 考え得ない
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