it may seems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it may seems" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used for emphasizing that something seems true, though it may not be. For example, you could say, "It may seems like a good idea, but it could have unexpected consequences."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It may seems strange to assert that a poll can measure the preferences of an entire country by talking to as few as 800 people, but the math works if those 800 people are selected through a truly random process.

Harvard Business Review

It may seems obvious but parents, especially dads, can be illogical when it comes to their daughters' dating.

WikiHow

Harsh, and it may seems disrespectful to your friends but this way you will be building up trust with your parents.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It may seem prosaic.

Independent

It may seem intimidating.

The New York Times

Or so it may seem.

The Economist

It may seem pleasant enough.

The New Yorker

It may seem so this weekend.

The New York Times

It may seem messy; it is.

The New York Times

To the visitor it may seem picturesque.

Independent

It may seem a trivial point.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the grammatically correct form "it may seem" instead of "it may seems". This ensures clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

The word "seems" is a third-person singular present tense verb. Use "seem" after modal verbs like "may", "might", "could", etc., as these require the base form of the verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may seems" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies the correct form as "it may seem". The modal verb 'may' requires the base form of the verb 'seem', not the third-person singular form 'seems'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "it may seems" might intuitively convey a sense of something appearing to be true, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it may seem". As Ludwig AI confirms, the modal verb "may" requires the base form of the verb. Using "it may seem" ensures clarity and maintains grammatical accuracy in both formal and informal contexts. While a few instances exist, as demonstrated by Ludwig, its usage is infrequent and should be avoided in favor of its correct counterpart.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might seem

Substitutes 'may' with 'might', indicating a slightly lower probability or possibility.

it could seem

Replaces 'may' with 'could', suggesting a potential or hypothetical appearance.

it may appear

Uses 'appear' instead of 'seem', changing the emphasis slightly from subjective feeling to objective observation.

it seems like it may

Inverts the structure for a different flow, adding 'like' to modify 'seems'.

it may look like

Replaces 'seem' with 'look like', shifting the context to visual appearance.

it may be apparent

Uses 'apparent' instead of 'seem', suggesting something easily noticeable or obvious.

it may be that

Changes the structure to emphasize the possibility of a certain condition or situation.

it may present itself as

Adds complexity by using 'present itself as', implying a more formal or nuanced appearance.

it has the appearance of

Uses a more formal phrasing to denote outward semblance.

it gives the impression of

Focuses on the impression created, using a more descriptive and formal tone.

FAQs

What is the correct form, "it may seem" or "it may seems"?

The correct form is "it may seem". Modal verbs like 'may' should be followed by the base form of the verb, which is 'seem'.

How to use "it may seem" in a sentence?

You can use "it may seem" to introduce a statement that might be surprising or counterintuitive. For example, "It may seem difficult, but with practice, you'll improve."

What can I say instead of "it may seem"?

You can use alternatives like "it might seem", "it could seem", or "it may appear" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "it may seem" and "it seems"?

"It seems" expresses a present observation or conclusion. "It may seem" suggests a possibility or a perception that might not be entirely accurate or complete.