Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Dear teachers!!

(1) There was no possible solutions Tom could think of.
(2) There was no possible solutions Tom could think of.

----->
I understand (1), but I can't understand the meaning of (2).

Does (2) mean as follows?
It was possible that there was no solutions Tom could think of.

Thank you in advance.

[pugachevV]

There was no possible solution (that) Tom could think of.
Is the correct way to say it. Both your sentences are the same.

If you use solutions your must use the plural form of the verb i.e. were

This would give you:- There were no possible solutions that Tom could think of.

[learner12]

Dear pugachevV:

I made a mistake of writing the same sentence. So sorry...

(***) There was no possible solutions Tom could think of.
----->
I don't understand the meaning of "possible" in the above sentence? What do you mean?

Which is the meaning of "possible" in the following (1)(2)(3)(4)?

adj.
(1) Capable of happening, existing, or being true without contradicting proven facts, laws, or circumstances.

(2) Capable of occurring or being done without offense to character, nature, or custom.

(3) Capable of favorable development; potential: a possible site for the new capital.

(4) Of uncertain likelihood.

[pugachevV]

You have written all the possible meanings of possible.
Your example is a negative statement.
It simply means that Tom could not think of a solution to his problem. The word possible is not needed.