may be accepted

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be accepted" is perfectly acceptable in written English.
You can use it when you are suggesting something with the understanding that it may be agreed to or allowed. For example: "The new design proposal may be accepted, but it needs some revision first."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Late applications may be accepted.

University of California, Berkeley

In exceptional circumstances, details may be accepted by telephone.

The Guardian

Applications may be accepted online or in person.

Columbia University

Other East Asian languages may be accepted by petition.

Stanford University

In this process, false feature matches may be accepted as reliable.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

However, measures may be accepted, disseminated and used before they have been formally evaluated and standardized.

Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology

When this problem is not appreciated spurious results may be accepted as correct.

Science of The Total Environment

The offer will stand and may be accepted through our solicitors until 7 March 2013.

Independent

Comments may be accepted or rejected at the discretion and approval of website moderators.

Harvard University

The cooperation of States, counties, or other local subdivisions may be accepted in construction and improvement.

Cornell University

*Graduate level students may be accepted under the terms of our agreement with your home university.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be accepted" in formal writing, ensure that the conditions for acceptance are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "may be accepted" when you intend to convey a certainty. This phrase indicates a possibility, not a promise. If acceptance is guaranteed, use phrases like "will be accepted" or "is accepted" to clearly communicate the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be accepted" functions as a passive construction indicating a possibility or conditional outcome. As shown in Ludwig, it expresses that something could be approved or received favorably, but it is not guaranteed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

Science

30%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be accepted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a possibility or conditional acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It is frequently found in academic, scientific, and news contexts, reflecting its suitability for conveying potential outcomes dependent on specific conditions. When writing, it's essential to differentiate between potential and guaranteed acceptance by carefully selecting the appropriate phrase. Consider using alternatives like "could be approved" or "might be allowed" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be approved

Emphasizes the possibility of approval, focusing on the endorsement aspect.

might be allowed

Highlights the permission aspect, suggesting a possibility of being permitted.

could be received

Focuses on the reception or how something is taken by others.

may be permissible

Indicates that something might be within the bounds of what is allowed.

might be admitted

Suggests the possibility of something being acknowledged or let in.

could be considered

Focuses on the evaluation aspect, implying that something might be taken into account.

may be entertained

Suggests the possibility of something being considered, often in a formal setting.

might be granted

Emphasizes the act of bestowing or conferring something, suggesting a degree of authority.

could be sanctioned

Highlights official approval or authorization.

may find acceptance

Focuses on the outcome of being generally agreed upon or approved of by a group.

FAQs

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

Use "may be accepted" to express a possibility or conditional acceptance. For example, "Your application "may be accepted" if all required documents are submitted."

What's a good alternative to "may be accepted"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "could be approved", "might be allowed", or "could be considered".

Is it better to say "may be accepted" or "will be accepted"?

"May be accepted" indicates a possibility, while "will be accepted" implies certainty. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation you're describing.

What does "may be accepted" mean in a formal context?

In formal contexts, "may be accepted" suggests that something is potentially permissible or approved, often contingent on specific conditions or requirements. It indicates a possibility without guaranteeing acceptance.