he may run

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he may run" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility or permission regarding someone's action of running. Example: "If the weather is nice tomorrow, he may run in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He may run for other offices, he said.

The New York Times

Instead, he said, he may run for governor in 2010.

The New York Times

In four years he may run for governor.

The New York Times

(He may run for only one more five-year term).

The New York Times

Zico has declared he may run to replace Blatter.

The Guardian - Sport

George Galloway, the Respect MP, has said that he may run for London mayor.

The Guardian

He may run for Senate in 2014, an eminently winnable race.

The Economist

One, the Liberal Democrat Stephen Williams, says he may run for the post himself.

The Economist

Now, however, he has hinted that he may run in 2012.

The Economist

He told us he may run for Congress sooner or later.

The New Yorker

He may run in the Lexington on April 23 for further seasoning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he may run" when expressing a possibility or conveying permission for someone to run. For instance, "If he trains diligently, he may run in the marathon."

Common error

Avoid using "may" and "might" interchangeably without considering the context. "May" often implies a higher degree of possibility or permission than "might".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he may run" primarily functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing possibility or permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, such as political races and sporting events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he may run" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent expression used to indicate the possibility or permission for someone to undertake the act of running. Predominantly featured in News & Media sources, as validated by Ludwig AI, it conveys a sense of potential action. Alternatives include "he might run" or "he could run". While generally neutral in register, understanding the subtle differences between "may" and "might" is crucial for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he might run

Uses "might" instead of "may", indicating a slightly lower probability.

he could run

Substitutes "may" with "could", suggesting possibility or ability.

he is potentially running

Highlights the potential aspect of the action.

it's possible he will run

Rephrases the possibility using a more explicit construction.

perhaps he will run

Introduces the possibility with "perhaps", adding a degree of uncertainty.

there's a chance he'll run

Indicates a chance or likelihood of running.

he is considering running

Focuses on the consideration process rather than the outright possibility.

it is conceivable that he will run

Uses "conceivable" to express the possibility, making it slightly more formal.

he is contemplating a run

Emphasizes the act of contemplating or planning to run.

he is thinking about running

Similar to considering, but slightly less formal.

FAQs

What does "he may run" mean?

The phrase "he may run" indicates that there is a possibility that someone will run, or that they have permission to run.

What can I say instead of "he may run"?

You can use alternatives like "he might run", "he could run", or "it is possible he will run" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he may run" or "he might run"?

Both "he may run" and "he might run" are grammatically correct. "May" suggests a slightly higher probability or permission, while "might" indicates a lower probability.

What's the difference between "he may run" and "he will run"?

"He may run" indicates a possibility, while "he will run" indicates a certainty. "He may run" means it is possible he will participate, whereas "he will run" means he has definitely committed to participating.