may be affected by

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be affected by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has the potential to be influenced by something else. For example, "The outcome of the election may be affected by the weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Checketts's time frame may be affected by Wayne Gretzky's plans.

The New York Times - Sports

Cleveland's interest may be affected by a proposed trade.

The New York Times - Sports

About 10,000 people may be affected by the storm.

The Washington Post

However, self-containment may be affected by other factors.

Journal of Transport Geography

Self-control, like smartness, may be affected by genes.

The Economist

And another famous drinks brand may be affected by the changes in Shepton.

The Guardian - Business

Many retailers say the buying habits may be affected by global events.

The New York Times

Some claim that millions may be affected by this privacy violation.

The Guardian

But surface rail lines may be affected by suspensions, depending on snow accumulation.

The Guardian

We will do all we can to help employees who may be affected by these proposals".

The Guardian - Business

I am shocked to hear that students may be affected by changes to the electoral register.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be affected by" to clearly indicate a potential influence without stating it as a certainty. This is particularly useful when discussing possibilities in research, predictions, or hypothetical scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "may be affected by" when the relationship is definitively causal. If there is strong evidence of a direct cause-and-effect relationship, use stronger language such as "is caused by" or "is a result of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be affected by" functions as a modal passive construction. It expresses a possibility that something is acted upon or influenced by an external factor. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

45%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be affected by" is a versatile and commonly used construction to express potential influence or impact. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in diverse settings, primarily in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, it is crucial to consider the degree of certainty and avoid overstating causation, choosing stronger language when a direct cause-and-effect relationship is evident. Remember, it is suitable for formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be influenced by

Replaces "affected" with "influenced" maintaining a similar level of impact and possibility.

might be impacted by

Substitutes "affected" with "impacted", suggesting a potentially stronger effect.

can be influenced by

Changes "may" to "can", indicating a potential but not definite influence.

could be altered by

Uses "altered" to suggest a change in state due to an external factor.

might be determined by

Suggests a higher degree of influence, implying that something is decided by another factor.

can be changed by

Focuses on the ability to change due to an external factor.

is susceptible to

Indicates a vulnerability to being influenced.

is contingent on

Highlights the conditional relationship, implying dependence on another factor.

is subject to

Implies a requirement to adhere to or be influenced by something.

is open to

Suggests that something is receptive to being influenced, implying a degree of vulnerability.

FAQs

How can I use "may be affected by" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to indicate a potential influence or impact. For example, "The project's timeline "may be affected by" unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "may be affected by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could be influenced by", "might be impacted by", or "is susceptible to", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "may be effected by" instead of "may be affected by"?

No, "affected" is the correct word here. "Affected" means influenced, while "effected" means brought about or caused. Therefore, ""may be affected by"" is the grammatically correct choice.

What's the difference between "may be affected by" and "will be affected by"?

"May be affected by" indicates a possibility or potential influence, while "will be affected by" indicates a certainty or a more definite impact. The choice depends on the level of confidence in the relationship.