possible,workable,practicable,feasible,viableThese adjectives signify capable of occurring or of being done.這些形容詞都表示能夠發生或能夠被完成的。 Possible indicates that something may happen, exist, be true, or be realizable: Possisle 表示某件事可能發生、存在、成為真實或成為可實現的： “I beseech you . . . think it possible you may be mistaken” (Oliver Cromwell). 我懇請你…相信可能是你錯了” （奧立弗·克倫威爾）。 “Only the initiated know and honor those [scientists] whose patient integrity and devotion to exact observation have made the last step possible” (Hans Zinsser).“只有受教者才知道並且稱讚這些 他們的有耐性的誠懇及對精確觀察的投入使最後一步成為可能” （漢斯·辛瑟）。 Workable is used of something that can be put into effective operation: Workable 形容可有效實行的事物： Assuming that the scheme is workable, how will you begin to implement it? Something that ispracticable is capable of being effected, done, or put into practice: 假設這個計劃是可行的，你將怎樣開始實現它呢? Practicable 形容能夠被影響、完成或執行的事： “As soon as it was practicable, he would wind up his business” (George Eliot).“一旦可行，他也將結束他的生意” （喬治·艾略特）。 Feasible refers to what can be accomplished, brought about, or carried out: Feasible 指能夠完成、實施或執行的： Making cars by hand is possible but not economically feasible. Somethingviable is both practicable and workable; the term often implies capacity for continuing effectiveness or success: 手工製造汽車是可能的，但從經濟角度講是行不通的。 Viable 指既可行又能有效實行的； 這個詞經常表示延續有效性或成功的能力： “How viable are the ancient legends as vehicles for modern literary themes?” (Richard Kain).“將古代傳說作為表達現代文學主題的工具，這樣的可行性有多少呢?” （理查德·凱恩）likely 系常用詞, 指“從表面跡象來看很有可能”, 如:The likely out come of the contest varies from moment to moment.比賽結果可能每分鐘都在變化。possible 指“由於有適當的條件和方法, 某事可能發生或做到”, 強調“客觀上有可能”, 但常含有“實際希望很小”的意思, 如:It is possible to go to the moon now.現在有可能登上月球。probable 語氣比 possible 強, 指“有根據、合情理、值得相信的事物, 帶有‘大概’、‘很可能’”的意思, 如:l don"t think the story is probable.我覺得那故事不大可能。