may be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate possibility or uncertainty about something. Example: "There may be a chance of rain later today, so you might want to bring an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It may be stiffness.

The New York Times

Whoever they may be.

Independent

That may be possible.

The New York Times

Something may be ticking".

The New Yorker

Consolations may be found.

The New York Times - Food

Blogging may be interrupted!

The New York Times

Patient may be unconscious.

Independent

It may be crude.

The Guardian - Opinion

Either may be correct.

The Economist

Part may be tactical.

The Economist

That may be revealing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing in formal or scientific contexts, "may be" can provide a necessary degree of caution and precision, avoiding definitive statements when evidence is not conclusive.

Common error

While "may be" is acceptable, excessive use can make your writing sound hesitant. Vary your language with synonyms like "could be", "might be", or "is possibly" to maintain a confident tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be" functions as a modal verb construction, expressing possibility, uncertainty, or permission. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be" functions as a modal verb construction used to express possibility or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts but is also common in wiki entries and formal business writing. While versatile, varying your language with synonyms like "might be" or "could be" can improve your writing's tone. Remember that "may be" (two words) differs from "maybe" (one word), which is an adverb meaning perhaps.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be

Replaces "may" with "might", conveying a slightly weaker sense of possibility.

could be

Uses "could" instead of "may", also suggesting a possibility, sometimes with a hint of conditionality.

is possibly

Rephrases the modal verb construction into an adverbial phrase, maintaining the sense of possibility.

is potentially

Similar to 'is possibly', but emphasizes the potential for something to occur or be true.

it is possible that

Expands the phrase into a full clause, explicitly stating the possibility.

it is conceivable that

Indicates that something is imaginable or believable, implying a possibility.

it is likely that

Suggests a higher degree of probability compared to "may be".

perhaps

A single-word adverb expressing uncertainty or possibility.

possibly

A single-word adverb expressing possibility.

conceivably

A single-word adverb expressing possibility, often implying a sense of imagination.

FAQs

How to use "may be" in a sentence?

The phrase "may be" is used to indicate a possibility or uncertainty. For example, "There "may be" rain later today" suggests that rain is a possibility, but not a certainty.

What can I say instead of "may be"?

You can use alternatives like "might be", "could be", or "possibly is" depending on the context. These alternatives also express a degree of uncertainty or possibility.

Which is correct, "may be" or "maybe"?

"May be" (two words) is a verb phrase indicating possibility, while "maybe" (one word) is an adverb meaning perhaps. For example, "It "may be" necessary to reschedule" (possibility) vs. "Maybe we can reschedule" (perhaps).

What's the difference between "may be" and "can be"?

"May be" implies a possibility or uncertainty, while "can be" suggests a potential or ability. For example, "The meeting "may be" delayed" suggests a possible delay, while "The meeting "can be" productive" suggests the meeting has the potential to be productive.