may again be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may again be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the possibility of something happening again in the future. Example: "The project may again be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mrs. Whitman's resolve may again be tested.

The New York Times

Hope may again be sprinting ahead of reality.

The New York Times

Mr Orban may again be the Socialists' best electoral asset.

The Economist

However, Bevan suggests this trend may again be reversing.

Independent

The US is not the Great Satan, but it may again be the Great Gatsby.

The Guardian

In the next conflict, however, the temptation to use contractors may again be strong.

The New York Times

The next implosion may again be just a few months away.

The Guardian - Sport

Which is fine for Borg, who may again be backhanding his way to the bank.

The New York Times - Magazine

And, soon, Parmalat's milk and cookies may again be gracing my cabinets.

The New York Times

Yet the political stock of technology may again be on the rise.

The New York Times

Then the public may again be invited back in to Borden.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may again be" to express a possibility that something will recur, especially when the previous occurrence is known or implied. It adds a layer of uncertainty but also acknowledges a precedent.

Common error

Avoid using "may again be" when there's no prior instance of the event or situation. It's best used when there's a historical basis for the potential recurrence. In purely speculative scenarios, consider using "may be" or "could be" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may again be" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a possibility that something will occur once more. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, showcasing its ability to convey uncertainty about a recurring event or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may again be" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the possibility of a recurring event. As Ludwig AI affirms, it functions as a modal verb phrase, suitable for neutral contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While alternatives like "might once more be" or "could happen again" exist, "may again be" balances probability and precedent effectively. When using the phrase, ensure there's a prior instance of the event to avoid speculative misapplications. Its versatility and wide usage across authoritative sources underscore its reliability as a tool for expressing potential recurrence with measured uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might once more be

Replaces "may" with "might" and "again" with "once more", altering the tone slightly but keeping the core meaning of potential recurrence.

could happen again

Simplifies the structure using "could" to express possibility and "happen again" to indicate recurrence.

might be repeated

Focuses on the "repeated" aspect, suggesting a recurring event or situation.

could recur

A more concise and formal way of saying something might happen again.

is likely to happen again

Expresses a higher probability of recurrence compared to "may", using "likely" to strengthen the statement.

has the potential to recur

Highlights the potential for recurrence, emphasizing the inherent possibility.

is liable to repeat

Suggests a tendency or inclination to repeat, adding a sense of predictability.

it is possible it will happen again

Breaks down the phrase into a more explanatory structure, focusing on the possibility of recurrence.

the recurrence is possible

Shifts the emphasis to the "recurrence" itself, stating its possibility.

there's a chance of it happening again

Uses a more conversational tone, expressing the possibility of recurrence in an informal way.

FAQs

How can I use "may again be" in a sentence?

Use "may again be" to express the possibility of a recurring event or state. For example, "The project "may again be" delayed due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "may again be"?

Alternatives include "might once more be", "could happen again", or "might be repeated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "may again be" more or less certain than "will again be"?

"May again be" indicates a possibility, while "will again be" expresses a higher degree of certainty. Choose "may" when you want to convey uncertainty and "will" when you're more confident about the recurrence.

What's the difference between "may again be" and "might again be"?

The difference between "may again be" and "might again be" is subtle. "Might" often implies a slightly lower probability than "may", but in many contexts, they are interchangeable. Both express possibility, but "might" can sometimes suggest a more remote chance.