I may yet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I may yet" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that you still have a chance to do something in the future, even if things don't look promising at the moment. Example: Despite the difficult odds, I may yet succeed in winning the race.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Some Arabs consider the book chauvinistic, but the sense of Arab tribal culture conveyed by Mr. Lawrence, an Englishman who lived among Bedouin warriors and helped lead them during the Arab rebellion against Turkish rule during World War I, may yet have relevance to Americans trying to make sense of the crosscurrents in Iraq.

The New York Times

David said, "Well, I may yet".

The New Yorker

But I may yet revisit Luke again.

The New Yorker

"I may yet still finish".

The New York Times

And who knows, I may yet bump into Scarlett Johansson.

The Guardian - Travel

"I love that character, and I may yet do something else with him".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But it may yet backfire.

The Economist

And it may yet be.

The Economist

But it may yet happen.

The New Yorker

"I think we may yet be able to do so," Bohr replied.

The New York Times

I hope (and may yet pray) that the shallow zeal he described will turn out to be just another of America's endless parades of fads.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I may yet" to express a hopeful outlook or a lingering possibility, particularly when the situation seems uncertain. It adds a touch of optimism.

Common error

Avoid overuse in formal or business writing where a more direct statement of intent might be more appropriate. Overusing it can make you sound uncertain or lacking in confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I may yet" functions as a modal expression of possibility. It indicates that the speaker believes there is still a chance for a particular outcome, even if it's not guaranteed. This is consistent with examples found by Ludwig, showcasing its use in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I may yet" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a lingering possibility or hope for a future event, even amidst uncertainty. As Ludwig AI states, it's frequently found in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Consider alternatives like "I still might" or "I could still" for variety. Remember, while there is not a negative association, it is important to avoid overusing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I still might

Emphasizes the continuing possibility despite current circumstances.

I could still

Suggests a potential action depending on future conditions.

I might eventually

Highlights the potential for an action to occur at some point in the future.

It's still possible I will

Directly states the remaining possibility of a future action.

There's a chance I will

Indicates a likelihood, though not a certainty, of a future event.

I have a chance to

Focuses on the opportunity available for a future action.

I haven't ruled out

Implies that the speaker is still considering a particular action.

The possibility remains that I will

Formally states that a future action is still possible.

I'm still open to

Expresses a willingness to consider a certain action.

It's not impossible for me to

Highlights that while unlikely, a certain action could still happen.

FAQs

How can I use "I may yet" in a sentence?

Use "I may yet" to indicate a possibility or chance of something happening in the future, even if it seems unlikely at the moment. For instance, "Despite the setbacks, I may yet achieve my goals."

What are some alternatives to "I may yet"?

You can use alternatives like "I still might", "I could still", or "I might eventually" depending on the context.

Is "I may yet" formal or informal?

"I may yet" is generally suitable for neutral contexts but might sound slightly informal in highly formal or business writing where directness is preferred.

What does "I may yet" imply?

"I may yet" implies that there is still a chance or possibility for something to occur, even if the circumstances don't currently favor it. It suggests a degree of hope or potential.