conceivable
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conceivable
Imaginable or conceivable. The word is almost always used for emphasis, often in the form 'alle erdenklichen...' (all conceivable...) or in superlatives, to express that all possibilities are included.
Wir haben alle erdenklichen Vorkehrungen getroffen, um das Fest sicher zu machen.
We have taken every conceivable precaution to make the festival safe.
The adjective is derived from 'denken' (to think). The prefix 'er-' often indicates that a state is reached, and the ending '-lich' forms the adjective. Literally, it therefore means 'reachable through thinking' or 'conceivable'.
Es gibt viele erdenkliche Gründe für sein Verhalten.
There are many conceivable reasons for his behavior.
'Erdenklich' (conceivable) is very often used together with 'alle' (all) to express that truly every possibility is meant. The form is then always 'alle erdenklichen' + plural noun.
Das Geschäft bietet Schokolade in allen erdenklichen Geschmacksrichtungen an.
The store offers chocolate in every conceivable flavor.
Another typical use is the combination with a superlative. It emphasizes that something is the absolute best, worst, or greatest that one can imagine.
Das war die beste erdenkliche Lösung für das Problem.
That was the best conceivable solution to the problem.
possible
Möglich and erdenklich can point to different options before a plural noun. Alle möglichen Lösungen usually means various solutions in general, while alle erdenklichen Lösungen emphasizes that every imaginable possibility is included. Möglich is enough for an ordinary selection; erdenklich is suitable when referring to the full range.
Wir prüfen alle erdenklichen Lösungen für das Problem.
We are examining all conceivable solutions to the problem.
Wir prüfen alle möglichen Lösungen für das Problem.
We are examining all possible solutions to the problem.
