it may be haunted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it may be haunted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a location or object that is rumored or believed to have supernatural activity or ghostly presence. Example: "The old mansion at the end of the street is said to be abandoned, but locals whisper that it may be haunted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It may be haunted.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I may be haunted by it or drawn more than others but honestly, it carries me somewhere that I can't explain.

Huffington Post

"Changing Lanes" is miscalculated, yet a lot of it goes oddly right — so right that some members of the audience, recalling times when they blew up and acted stupidly, may be haunted by it for years.

The New Yorker

It's the dolls' perfect bodies, though, that worry parents who fret that their daughters may be haunted by this model of what their figures should be.

Huffington Post

The hastily built, characterless, isolated houses that sprawl beyond recently booming cities may be haunted too.

The New York Times

The lyrics may be haunted by the Iraq war, but the tone is weirdly upbeat, much given to looking on the bright side and making the best of it.

The Guardian - Music

Staff members and teammates may be haunted for years by what they saw unfold in a parking lot on Saturday morning — and ultimately, by what they did not see in Jovan Belcher.

The New York Times - Sports

"Rebecca," which was also adapted for film in 1940 by Alfred Hitchcock, centers on the new wife of a wealthy Englishman, Maxim de Winter, and their spooky life on his estate, Manderley, which may be haunted by his dead first wife.

The New York Times

"The Phantom Light," one of seven films Powell released in 1935, is essentially a vehicle for the Cockney comedian Gordon Harker, who plays a skeptical lighthouse keeper whose new post, on a storm-tossed coast of Wales, may be haunted.

The New York Times

And he may be haunted by a financing scandal of his own that blew up in June, when Mr. Hatoyama's office admitted reporting more than $200,000 in donations in the names of unsuspecting friends and even dead people.

The New York Times

It would have starred Tam Mutu as the well-to-do Maxim de Winter and Sierra Boggess as his new wife (known in the musical only as "I"), who joins him at the estate that may be haunted by the ghost of his first spouse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it may be haunted", ensure the context provides some basis for the possibility, even if it's just local lore or rumors. This adds credibility and intrigue to your writing.

Common error

Avoid presenting "it may be haunted" as a definitive statement of fact. Maintain a tone of possibility and avoid sensationalizing the claim without proper evidence or context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may be haunted" functions as a modal expression of possibility. It suggests that there is a chance, but not a certainty, that a particular place or object is inhabited by ghosts or supernatural entities. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it may be haunted" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey the possibility of supernatural presence. As verified by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and appears across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. While it suggests the potential for ghostly activity, it avoids making a definitive claim, thus maintaining a tone of speculation. For similar expressions, consider alternatives such as "it could be haunted" or "it might be haunted", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could be haunted

Replaces 'may' with 'could', suggesting a slightly weaker possibility.

it might be haunted

Substitutes 'may' with 'might', indicating a similar level of uncertainty or possibility.

it is possibly haunted

Rephrases the modal verb construction with an adverb, emphasizing the possibility.

it is rumored to be haunted

Indicates that the haunting is based on hearsay or speculation.

it is believed to be haunted

Suggests a widespread belief or perception of the haunting.

it is said to be haunted

Implies that the haunting is a common saying or local legend.

ghosts may reside there

Uses different vocabulary to express the possibility of ghostly presence.

supernatural activity may occur there

Replaces 'haunted' with a more clinical description of paranormal events.

paranormal phenomena might be present

Adopts a more scientific tone, focusing on the phenomena rather than the haunting itself.

it has a reputation for being haunted

Focuses on the established reputation of the place regarding paranormal activities.

FAQs

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

You can use "it may be haunted" to describe a location or object with a rumored or suspected ghostly presence. For example, "The old house on the hill is abandoned, but locals whisper that "it may be haunted"".

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

You can use alternatives such as "it could be haunted", "it might be haunted", or "it is possibly haunted" depending on the level of certainty you want to convey.

Which is correct: "it may be haunted" or "it is haunted"?

"It may be haunted" suggests a possibility, while "it is haunted" states it as a fact. The correct choice depends on the available evidence and the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "it may be haunted" and "it seems to be haunted"?

"It may be haunted" expresses a possibility based on rumors or speculation. "It seems to be haunted" suggests that there's some observable evidence or indication that it is, in fact, haunted.