it may not come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it may not come" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express uncertainty about whether something will happen or arrive. Example: "I have been waiting for the package, but it may not come until next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It may not come cheap but many of its defenders see it as closest to the heart of the ABC's charter.

The Guardian

It may not come immediately.

The Economist

One is that it may not come cheap.

The Economist

It may not come to that in Mexico.

The Economist

Or it may not come out to be the one that you thought it might.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Working together may be beyond them.But it may not come to that.

The Economist

It may not come as a surprise that many of them prefer "Trees".

The New York Times - Books

When the problem is big – as our problems are – it may not come in 22 months.

The Guardian - Opinion

It may not come to that, but whatever happens, employees know they will lose ground.

The New York Times

"If they break that, it may not come back up above that level soon," he said.

The New York Times

"It may not come as a surprise to most people," acknowledged an official in the state Drought Information Center.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it may not come" to express uncertainty about a future event or outcome. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the antecedent of "it" is clear. If the context is unclear, rephrase to specify the subject, such as "the package may not come" instead of "it may not come" if the "it" referring to a package has not yet been established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may not come" functions as a hedge, softening a statement to indicate uncertainty or possibility. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. It introduces doubt about a future event or outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

14%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it may not come" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey uncertainty about a future event or outcome. Ludwig AI affirms that it is grammatically sound and appears in a wide range of contexts, from news articles and academic papers to casual conversations. While alternatives exist, such as "it might not happen" or "it is unlikely to arrive", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ensuring clarity in the context of "it" and understanding potential misinterpretations, coupled with following best practices in usage, are vital for efficient communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might not happen

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating a similar level of possibility.

it could not occur

Substitutes "may" with "could" and "come" with "occur", suggesting a slightly lower probability.

it is unlikely to arrive

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the low probability of arrival.

it is not guaranteed to materialize

Emphasizes the lack of certainty regarding the event's realization.

there's no certainty it will appear

Shifts the focus to the absence of certainty about its appearance.

its arrival is uncertain

Uses a more concise phrasing, highlighting the uncertainty of arrival.

the possibility of it happening is low

Expresses a low likelihood of the event taking place.

it's doubtful it will come about

Indicates skepticism about the event's occurrence.

chances are it won't arrive

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest a negative outcome.

don't count on it arriving

Advises against relying on its arrival, implying a low probability.

FAQs

How can I use "it may not come" in a sentence?

Use "it may not come" to express uncertainty about whether something will happen or arrive. For example, "I've been waiting for the package, but "it may not come" until next week."

What are some alternatives to saying "it may not come"?

You can use alternatives such as "it might not happen", "it could not occur", or "it is unlikely to arrive" depending on the context.

Is "it may not come" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it may not come" is grammatically correct and follows standard English syntax. It's a common way to express uncertainty about a future event.

When is it appropriate to use "it may not come"?

It is appropriate to use "it may not come" when you want to indicate that there is a possibility that something you are expecting or hoping for might not happen or arrive. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.