may be able to

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be able to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a possibility that something will happen in the future. For example: John may be able to complete the project on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You may be able to!

TechCrunch

They may be able to.

The New Yorker

"I may be able to.

The New York Times

Chicago may be able to recall Emanuel.

Independent

He may be able to do it.

The Economist

Investors may be able to benefit, too.

The New York Times

They may be able to fix it.

The New Yorker

Crispr may be able to help.

The Guardian

"Shakespeare may be able to take it.

The Guardian

Technology may be able to help.

The New York Times - Magazine

They may be able to afford dinner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "may be able to" with specific conditions to clarify the circumstances under which the action is possible. For example, "They may be able to help if you provide more details."

Common error

Avoid using "may be able to" when you have definitive knowledge that something will or will not happen. Choose stronger or weaker modal verbs accordingly to accurately reflect the level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be able to" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or potential ability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys that something is possible but not certain. Examples show it used to express potential actions or outcomes across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be able to" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express possibility or potential ability. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's appropriate for conveying uncertainty across different contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. When writing, be mindful of overstating certainty and choose stronger or weaker modal verbs when appropriate. Related phrases like "might be capable of" or "could potentially" offer alternative ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be capable of

Replaces "able" with "capable" and "may" with "might", indicating a slightly lower degree of certainty.

could potentially

Uses "could" instead of "may" and adds "potentially" for emphasis on the possibility.

might have the capacity to

Emphasizes the capacity or inherent ability to do something.

is potentially capable of

Shifts the focus to the subject's capability, with "potentially" highlighting uncertainty.

has a chance to

Indicates a possibility or opportunity exists.

is likely to be able to

Adds a degree of probability to the ability to do something.

stands a good chance of

Suggests a favorable probability of success.

it is conceivable that

Expresses that something is imaginable or possible, though not necessarily probable.

there's a possibility of

Highlights the existence of a chance or potential for something to happen.

is within the realm of possibility

Indicates that something is not impossible, though perhaps unlikely.

FAQs

How can I use "may be able to" in a sentence?

Use "may be able to" to express a possibility or a potential capability, indicating that success is not guaranteed. For instance, "The doctor "may be able to" help you with your pain."

What are some alternatives to "may be able to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "might be able to", "could potentially", or "has a chance to".

Is "may be able to" more formal than "might be able to"?

While both express possibility, "may" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "might". However, the difference is minimal, and both are suitable for most contexts.

When should I use "can" instead of "may be able to"?

Use "can" when expressing a definite ability or permission. Use "may be able to" when expressing a possibility or potential, acknowledging uncertainty. For example, "I can swim" (definite ability) vs. "I "may be able to" swim if the water is warm enough" (potential ability).