수 있다 VS 수도 있다

What's the Difference Between "을/ㄹ 수 있다" and "을/ㄹ 수도 있다" ?

If you're learning Korean, you’ve probably come across both “을/ㄹ 수 있다” and “을/ㄹ 수도 있다” 

At first glance, they might look almost the same, but there’s a subtle (yet important!) difference.

Let’s break it down together.

1. 을/ㄹ 수 있다 =  be able to / might (simple possibility)

This is used when talking about someone's ability or possibility in a straightforward way.

[ Example ] 

저는 수영할 수 있어요.  I can swim.

내일 비가 올 수 있어요.  It might rain tomorrow.

이 식당에 10명을 초대할 수 있어요.  It's possible to invite 10 people to this restaurant.

In these examples, we’re simply stating what is possible or doable.

 2. 을/ㄹ 수도 있다 = might also / there's a chance that

Now, here comes the little particle 도.

When you add 도, it emphasizes that something is one of the possible outcomes. 

It’s often uncertain or maybe even unexpected.

It often carries a tone of uncertainty or concern.

[ Example ] 

그 소문이 어쩌면 사실일 수도 있어요.  That rumor might possibly be true.

비가 올 수도 있으니까 우산을 챙기세요.  It might rain, so take an umbrella just in case.

오늘 파티에 아무도 안 올 수도 있어요.  There’s a chance that no one will come to the party today.

It highlights that it’s one possible scenario, even if it’s not the most likely one.

Korean adverbs like "아마도(maybe)", "혹시(possibly)", and "어쩌면(perhaps)" often go well with the grammar pattern "-을/ㄹ 수도 있어요" because they all express uncertainty.

[ 아무도 안 올 수 있어요 VS 아무도 안 올 수도 있어요.  ]

1. 아무도 안 올 수 있어요 simply means “ It’s possible that no one will come. ”

-> "을/ㄹ 수 있다" is just stating a possibility.

2. 아무도 안 올 수도 있어요 means “There’s also a chance that no one might come.”

-> "을/ㄹ 수도 있다" is emphasizing that not coming is also a possible outcome.

-> "을/ㄹ 수도 있다" often carries a tone of uncertainty or concern.

So if you want to emphasize uncertainty and add a slight tone of concern or worry, 

using "을/ㄹ 수도 있다" sounds more natural.

If you have any additional questions,  feel free to ask in the comments!😊