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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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above may be

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "above may be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something mentioned earlier in the text, often implying that the information is conditional or uncertain. Example: "The results of the experiment, as discussed above, may be subject to further verification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The latest work of the performance artist Marina Abramovic, above, may be her most ephemeral.

News & Media

The New York Times

The broad types of uses mentioned above may be elaborately subdivided.

The culprit, like many of the substances mentioned above, may be ingested or applied topically.

The most wrenching part of the video above may be the White House publicity footage of Roosevelt "playing" with Fala.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The passage from Philemon mentioned above may be a quotation from a hymn used in such worship.

Bolus tracking as described above may be used.

The equation above may be rewritten as follows: (3.22).

The simulators mentioned above may be classified into three categories.

Thus, the instruments discussed above may be potentially weak.9.9

The study above may be utilized in the system design for enhancing performance.

Some of the above may be disproven; other trends may continue.

News & Media

TechCrunch
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "above may be", ensure that the reference to what is 'above' is clear and unambiguous to avoid confusing the reader. Clarity of reference enhances the effectiveness of this phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "above may be" when the preceding text does not clearly establish the point of reference. Ensure the connection between "above" and the intended subject is explicit, or rephrase for clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "above may be" functions as an anaphoric marker, referring back to previously mentioned information while expressing a degree of uncertainty or possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and correct way to link ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "above may be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to reference previously mentioned information while indicating possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various domains. It's most common in science and news media, demonstrating its utility in formal writing where referencing is crucial. To use it effectively, ensure the reference to "above" is clear. When in doubt, alternatives like "previously mentioned might be" can provide greater clarity. Avoiding vague references is key to preventing misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously mentioned might be

Replaces "above" with "previously mentioned" and "may" with "might", slightly altering the tone but maintaining the core meaning.

the aforementioned could be

Uses "aforementioned" for a more formal reference and "could" instead of "may", indicating a possibility.

what was indicated earlier could potentially be

Rephrases the reference to past information and uses "could potentially be" for a stronger emphasis on possibility.

that which precedes might possibly be

Employs a more formal and elaborate structure to refer to preceding information and express possibility.

the foregoing could turn out to be

Replaces "above" with "foregoing" and "may be" with "could turn out to be", indicating a future possibility or outcome.

as previously noted, it is possibly

Changes the structure to emphasize the possibility, replacing "may be" with "it is possibly".

what's been referred to could also be

Uses "what's been referred to" for a less direct reference and "could also be" to suggest an additional possibility.

the points made before might also represent

Shifts the focus to "points made" and uses "might also represent" to introduce an alternative interpretation.

it is conceivable that the above is

Emphasizes conceivability, introducing a more speculative tone while maintaining the reference to the "above".

the aspects highlighted earlier can perhaps indicate

Focuses on "aspects highlighted" and uses "can perhaps indicate" to suggest a potential but not definite connection.

FAQs

How can I use "above may be" in a sentence?

Use "above may be" to refer to something already mentioned, suggesting it's a possibility or potential explanation. For instance, "Considering the factors discussed above, the outcome may be different."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "above may be"?

You can use alternatives like "previously mentioned might be", "the aforementioned could be", or "what was indicated earlier could potentially be" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "as above, may be"?

While understandable, "as above, may be" isn't grammatically standard. "Above may be" is the more conventional and clearer phrasing when referring to preceding information.

What's the difference between "above may be" and "below may be"?

"Above may be" references something previously stated or positioned earlier in the text, while "below may be" points to something that will be discussed or is located later in the text.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: