may arrive at

USAGE SUMMARY

"may arrive at" is correct and it can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate an expected or possible time of arrival. For example, "The train may arrive at any time now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Woods may arrive at a similar conclusion.

The New York Times

Ultimately, you may arrive at a vibrant, well-maintained downtown.

The New York Times

Marsh may arrive at a solution that satisfies embittered spouses of employees.

The New York Times

It's Ms Yellen's Fed now, and her committee may arrive at a different judgment than Mr Bernanke's.

The Economist

If they are traveling to the next city after a game, they may arrive at their hotels after 3 a.m.

The New York Times - Sports

And it is possible that, by degrees, this latest ensemble may arrive at a richer state of symbiosis.

The New York Times

Lille stood firm, so too Burnley over Danny Ings, although the latter may arrive at Anfield in the close season.

The Guardian - Sport

Graham has to battle her own natural rhythms in order to reach the sort of quiet and openness that her husband, for instance, may arrive at quite directly.

The New Yorker

Similarly, the lender may arrive at its determination by comparing the disputed item with the same records that gave rise to the dispute in the first place.

The New York Times

Other men, Welch acknowledges, may arrive at a different conclusion, and he is careful to avoid pushing his own patients in one direction or the other.

The New York Times - Magazine

The lateral inflows may arrive at the stream in one of three forms: (1) groundwater flow, (2) subsurface storm flow, or (3) overland flow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may arrive at" to express a possibility, not a certainty. For definite arrivals, use "will arrive at".

Common error

Avoid using "arrive to" instead of "arrive at". The correct preposition to use with "arrive" in this context is "at".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may arrive at" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a possibility or likelihood of reaching a certain destination, conclusion, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

44%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may arrive at" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express the possibility of reaching a certain point, whether it's a physical location, a conclusion, or a state of being. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and frequently observed across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science publications. When using this phrase, it's important to remember that it indicates possibility, not certainty, and it should not be confused with the incorrect form "arrive to". For situations requiring alternatives, options like "might reach" or "could come to" are appropriate substitutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might reach

Uses 'might' instead of 'may', implying a slightly lower probability.

could get to

Replaces 'arrive' with 'get to', making it slightly more informal.

could come to

Employs 'come to' instead of 'arrive at', indicating a gradual process.

might attain

Substitutes 'arrive' with 'attain', suggesting a more significant achievement.

can reach

Expresses possibility or ability to reach the destination or conclusion.

may attain to

A slightly more formal version, replacing 'arrive' with 'attain'.

may land at

Implies arrival in a specific location or situation.

might end up at

Suggests an unplanned or unexpected arrival.

may show up at

Replaces 'arrive' with 'show up', making it more casual.

can achieve

Replaces "arrive at" with "achieve", focusing on accomplishment

FAQs

How can I use "may arrive at" in a sentence?

You can use "may arrive at" to indicate a possible outcome or destination. For example, "The package may arrive at your doorstep tomorrow", or "After careful consideration, we may arrive at a different conclusion".

What's the difference between "may arrive at" and "will arrive at"?

"May arrive at" indicates a possibility, while "will arrive at" suggests a certainty. For example, "The delivery may arrive at 3 PM" suggests it's possible but not guaranteed, while "The delivery will arrive at 3 PM" implies it's confirmed.

What are some alternatives to "may arrive at"?

Alternatives include "might reach", "could get to", or "could come to", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "may arrive to" instead of "may arrive at"?

No, "may arrive to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use after "arrive" in this context is "at". Therefore, "may arrive at" is the proper usage.