it may be doable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it may be doable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the possibility that a task or project can be accomplished, even if it may require effort or resources. Example: "The timeline is tight, but after reviewing the requirements, I believe it may be doable if we all work together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's pretty obvious that it may be doable to be small, and difficult to be medium-sized, where the big players will squeeze the medium player out.

The New York Times

It may be doable: Hamas's leader gave rare if grudging approval to Mr Obama's sweet words in Cairo, where America's president acknowledged that "some Palestinians" supported it and urged it to join the diplomatic fray.The gap between Israelis and Palestinians remains wide.

The Economist

And in fact, it may be doable.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"They may be doable," she said, "but as a board you've really got to make sure appropriate protections are taken".

The New York Times

They then suggest that, when compared to other possibilities, substantially more cuts may be doable than the Congressional research numbers suggest.

The New York Times

That may be doable.

Forbes

That experiment may be doable if θ13 is large.

Science Magazine

That may be doable: 58% of the Names are over 62, and only 3% are under 42.

Forbes

A trip may be doable but requires the caregiver to do lots of planning, said Jan Dougherty, family and community services director for Banner Alzheimer's Institute in Phoenix.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Coker's advice to Mr. Davis and Mr. Peterson: It may be a "doable" race if they can increase their name recognition.

The New York Times

It may be a challenge, but it is doable.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it may be doable" to express a cautious optimism, suggesting that while something is not guaranteed, it is within the realm of possibility and worth considering.

Common error

Avoid using "it may be doable" when you have strong evidence that something is highly likely to succeed. In such cases, use stronger terms like "it is definitely achievable" or "it will certainly work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may be doable" functions as a modal expression indicating possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests that a task or action has the potential to be accomplished, though not with absolute certainty. This aligns with its usage in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

16%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it may be doable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating the potential feasibility of something, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While not extremely frequent, the phrase is sourced from reputable outlets like The New York Times and The Economist. When writing, use this phrase to express cautious optimism and acknowledge potential challenges, while avoiding it when certainty is warranted. Consider using alternatives such as "it might be feasible" or "it could be achievable" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might be feasible

Substitutes "doable" with "feasible", emphasizing practicality and capability.

it could be achievable

Replaces "may be" with "could be" and "doable" with "achievable", suggesting potential success.

it is potentially viable

Uses "potentially viable" instead of "doable", highlighting the possibility of success and sustainability.

it seems possible

Emphasizes the appearance of possibility rather than inherent feasibility.

it looks like it could work

A more informal way of saying something has a chance of succeeding.

it has a chance of succeeding

Focuses on the probability of a positive outcome.

it is conceivably attainable

Uses "conceivably attainable" to stress the possibility of reaching a goal.

it's within the realm of possibility

Indicates that something is not impossible, though not necessarily probable.

it is not out of the question

Suggests that something is worth considering even if it seems unlikely.

there's a good chance it'll happen

Offers a more optimistic outlook on the likelihood of a positive outcome.

FAQs

What does "it may be doable" mean?

The phrase "it may be doable" suggests that something is possibly achievable or feasible, but not with certainty. It implies a degree of uncertainty or potential challenges.

How can I use "it may be doable" in a sentence?

You can use "it may be doable" to express a cautious optimism about a task or plan. For example, "The project timeline is tight, but "it may be doable" if we allocate resources efficiently".

What can I say instead of "it may be doable"?

You can use alternatives like "it might be feasible", "it could be achievable", or "it seems possible" depending on the context.

Is "it may be doable" formal or informal?

"It may be doable" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it is potentially viable" or "it is conceivably attainable".