may be acceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'may be acceptable' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is possible or that it could be approved by someone. For example, "The terms of the agreement may be acceptable to both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That may be acceptable someday.

The New York Times

That may be acceptable in certain situations, but it doesn't work at a Presidential debate.

The New Yorker

Some purists, repelled by such ideas, will argue that tomato ketchup may be acceptable.

The Guardian

All this suggests that an invasion of Iraq may be acceptable in principle.

The New York Times

For women who are likely to have hidden tumors, the prospect of such false-positive findings may be acceptable.

The New York Times

"Amina is a citizen of Saudi Arabia, where these constraints may be acceptable under the law of Saudi Arabia.

The Guardian

That may be acceptable if it was the right project but the Thames tunnel is the wrong project.

The Guardian

I work in the music industry, and what may be acceptable here may not go down quite as well elsewhere.

The Guardian - Money

If the economic situation stabilises rapidly, then it may be acceptable to play steady-as-she-goes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although your volunteer work may be acceptable within the ethical system of private schools, it's fair to question that system.

The New York Times - Magazine

This may be acceptable in countries like the United States, where well-organized parties contend for the prize.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you use the phrase "may be acceptable", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is doing the accepting and under what conditions. This clarifies the potential approval and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "may be acceptable" when a more definitive statement is appropriate. If something is unequivocally acceptable, use stronger language to convey certainty and avoid undermining your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be acceptable" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a degree of possibility or potential approval. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatical and suitable for use. It indicates that a particular action, condition, or outcome is not guaranteed but remains a viable or permissible option.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be acceptable" is a versatile expression used to indicate potential permissibility or tolerability. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its frequency in news, media, science, and formal business settings underscores its broad applicability. When using this phrase, clarity regarding the accepting party and conditions is crucial. While alternatives like "might be acceptable" or "could be acceptable" exist, each carries slightly different connotations. Overall, "may be acceptable" remains a reliable way to express contingent approval in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be acceptable

Changes "may" to "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability or possibility.

could be acceptable

Substitutes "may" with "could", indicating a potential or conditional acceptance.

might be permissible

Replaces "acceptable" with "permissible", implying that something is allowed but not necessarily ideal.

could be approved

Uses "approved" instead of "acceptable", focusing on the act of being officially sanctioned.

may be allowed

Substitutes "acceptable" with "allowed", indicating permission but not necessarily endorsement.

could be tolerated

Changes "acceptable" to "tolerated", suggesting endurance rather than approval.

might be satisfactory

Replaces "acceptable" with "satisfactory", indicating a level of contentment rather than full approval.

may be considered

Changes to "considered", which suggests a degree of evaluation or deliberation before acceptance.

may be okay

Uses "okay" instead of "acceptable", making the statement less formal.

may pass muster

Replaces "acceptable" with the idiom "pass muster", indicating that something meets a required standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "may be acceptable" to indicate that something is potentially permissible or tolerable, for example: "This solution "may be acceptable" if we can't find a better alternative."

What phrases are similar to "may be acceptable"?

Similar phrases include "might be acceptable", "could be acceptable", or "may be permissible", which all express varying degrees of possibility and approval.

Is "may be acceptable" formal or informal?

"May be acceptable" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans towards the formal side due to its nuanced expression of possibility and approval.

What's the difference between "may be acceptable" and "is acceptable"?

"May be acceptable" indicates a potential for approval or permissibility, while "is acceptable" indicates a definite state of approval. The former leaves room for conditions or doubt, whereas the latter implies certainty.