it may takes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it may takes' is not correct and usable in written English.
The correct phrasing is 'it may take.' Example: "I think it will take two days to finish this project, but it may take longer if things don't go as planned."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be that as it may, 17 men representing projects from the private and public sectors are still quite telling.

The Guardian

Sometimes it may be F12, F11, F10 or F2.

Forbes

Only this time, it may be 4G.

Huffington Post

On an estate valued at £2m, it may snaffle £600,000.

The Times

It may weigh 6.8 kg (15 pounds) or more.

Britannica

So depending on the weather, it may be 8 to 10 weeks before we mow".

The New York Times

"It may take 10 or 20 years before they continue north, but they will".

The New York Times

It may add 10 or 15 years to the operational life of the aging air force.

The New York Times

Today, it may cover 2 or 3 years of care.

Forbes

It may contain 50 to 60 herbal medicines.

BMC Public Health

It may take 5 minutes or 50 before that realization dawns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the base form of the verb after modal verbs like "may", "might", and "could". The correct phrasing is "it may take".

Common error

Avoid using the third-person singular form of the verb (e.g., "takes") after modal verbs like "may". Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., "take").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may takes" is intended to express possibility or likelihood regarding the duration or effort required for something. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct form is "it may take".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it may takes" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "it may take". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, modal verbs like "may" must be followed by the base form of the verb. While the intention is to express a possibility or estimate, the incorrect grammar significantly reduces its effectiveness. Consider using alternatives like "it might take" or "it could take" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity. Because no examples of the phrase exist in the Ludwig database, it’s best to avoid using "it may takes" in your writing or speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might take

Replaces "may" with "might", both indicating possibility but with slightly different connotations. "Might" can imply a lower probability.

it could take

Uses "could" instead of "may", expressing possibility or conditional potential.

it can potentially take

Adds "potentially" for emphasis, highlighting the conditional nature of the action.

it is possible that it will take

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the possibility of the action occurring.

it is likely to take

Indicates a higher probability compared to "may", suggesting a greater chance of the action happening.

it has the potential to take

Focuses on the inherent potential for the action to occur, given certain conditions.

it is expected to take

Implies an expectation or prediction that the action will occur, often based on prior knowledge or analysis.

it is liable to take

Suggests a tendency or inclination for the action to occur, potentially implying a negative consequence.

it is apt to take

Similar to "liable", but often implies a natural or inherent tendency.

it is not impossible for it to take

Expresses possibility by negating impossibility, often used for emphasis.

FAQs

What is the correct form, "it may takes" or "it may take"?

The correct form is "it may take". Modal verbs like "may" are always followed by the base form of the verb.

What does "it may take" mean?

The phrase "it may take" indicates that something is possible or likely to require a certain amount of time, effort, or resources.

What are some alternatives to saying "it may take"?

You can use alternatives like "it might take", "it could take", or "it is possible that it will take depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

You can use "it may take" in a sentence like this: "I think it will take two days to finish this project, but "it may take" longer if things don't go as planned."