it may arrive

USAGE SUMMARY

'it may arrive' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something isn't certain. For example: "The package hasn't arrived yet, but it may arrive tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"The tradeoff is that something at a 90 degree polar orbit covers the whole world, but its frequency is less; it may arrive only every couple of days," he says.

BBC

DATA WATCH If Americans are becoming gloomier, another sign of it may arrive Friday, when the University of Michigan issues its final reading of consumer confidence for November.

The New York Times

It may arrive too late for Passover, which begins next Saturday night.

The New York Times

The mosquito-borne disease, which can cause crippling arthritis, is now in the Caribbean, and experts worry that it may arrive on the U.S. mainland soon.

The Washington Post

Agencies and media companies are moving to remind marketers that they ought to keep advertising in tough times to prepare for the inevitable recovery -- whenever it may arrive.

The New York Times

In the digital age, that gap is an accordion: it might be a week or eight months; it may arrive at the end of an episode or as a season finale or in the second before a click on "next".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Your big break, it appears, may arrive at any time in your career.

Harvard Business Review

Longer term, it is laying a foundation for a central contention of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon: that Israel must retain territory in the West Bank as a buffer against the enhanced threat it fears may arrive with a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The New York Times

The touchless technology that it demonstrates may arrive many decades sooner.

Forbes

Holding the parade on a Saturday, rather than a Thursday evening, will make it easier for commuters who may arrive home late.

The New York Times

And with this year's tournament being played the week after the United States Open, it is possible that Woods may arrive in Westchester just days after winning his fifth consecutive major championship.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it may arrive" when you want to express uncertainty about an event's occurrence. Provide additional context to clarify the subject and potential timeframe, such as, "The package may arrive tomorrow if there are no delays".

Common error

Avoid using "it may arrive" when a more definitive statement is possible. For example, if you have confirmed tracking information, a statement like "it is expected to arrive" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may arrive" functions as a modal phrase expressing possibility or uncertainty. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. It suggests that the arrival is not confirmed but is within the realm of possibility. Examples from Ludwig showcase various contexts, from delivery estimates to potential disease outbreaks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it may arrive" is a versatile phrase used to express the possibility of a future event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal settings, with its usage being particularly common in news and media, science, and academic discussions. When using this phrase, be mindful of overstating certainty and consider providing context to clarify the subject and potential timeframe. Related phrases like "it might get here" or "it could turn up" offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might get here

Changes 'may' to 'might', indicating a slightly lower probability, and replaces 'arrive' with 'get here' for a more informal tone.

it could turn up

Substitutes 'may' with 'could', suggesting possibility, and replaces 'arrive' with 'turn up', implying unexpected arrival.

it is possible it will be delivered

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize possibility and uses a more formal word like 'delivered'.

it is scheduled to show up

Shifts the focus to scheduling and uses 'show up' instead of 'arrive', suggesting an expected but not guaranteed arrival.

it is anticipated to be here

Uses 'anticipated' to highlight expectation and replaces 'arrive' with 'be here', focusing on location.

it is expected to land

Emphasizes expectation, suitable if 'it' is a flight or similar context. Replaces 'arrive' with 'land', focusing on the arrival of something physical.

it is due to come

Indicates that the arrival is scheduled or expected at a certain time.

it should get in

Implies a degree of expectation, and replaces 'arrive' with 'get in' for a less formal phrasing.

it is on its way

Suggests something is in transit but doesn't guarantee arrival.

it is coming

A simple statement that arrival is forthcoming but provides no timeline.

FAQs

How can I use "it may arrive" in a sentence?

Use "it may arrive" to express a possibility or uncertainty about something happening, such as "The shipment hasn't been dispatched yet, so "it may arrive" later than expected".

What alternatives are there to "it may arrive"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives such as "it might get here", "it could turn up", or "it is possible it will be delivered".

Is "it may arrive" formal or informal?

"It may arrive" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality largely depends on the surrounding language and situation.

What's the difference between "it may arrive" and "it will arrive"?

"It may arrive" indicates a possibility but not a certainty. "It will arrive" suggests a higher degree of confidence and expectation that the event will occur.