may be after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be after" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility of something occurring later in time or sequence. Example: "The meeting may be after lunch, depending on the availability of the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

It may be, after all, his last appearance.

Independent

They can enjoy what they accomplished, whatever that may be, after their final game.

The New York Times

A particularly vulnerable time may be after the diagnosis of a life-threatening disease like cancer.

The New York Times

It may be, after all, that we are born to tweet.

The New Yorker

Judging by the books he likes, Alan may be after narratives.

The New Yorker

Nationalization may be, after analyzing all the costs and benefits, the best strategy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

There were surprises after Chernobyl and there may be again after Fukushima".

The Guardian

Such decreases may be observed after chronic treatment or even after single drug administrations.

Brain Research

Family after family fear that their identities may be revealed after I speak to them.

The Guardian

Filling contents may be hot after heating".

The Guardian

Some Iraqis think the same may be true after Mr. Hussein.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be after", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a sequence of events or the pursuit of something. For example, "The meeting may be after lunch" (sequence) versus "The detective may be after the thief" (pursuit).

Common error

Avoid using "may be after" when a more precise term like "might follow" or "could pursue" would better convey your intended meaning. Ambiguity can arise if the reader isn't sure whether you're talking about timing or intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be after" functions as a modal verb construction indicating a possibility or speculation. It suggests that something is potentially happening or will happen in the future. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be after" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express possibility or speculation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is commonly used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and informal settings. While generally neutral in formality, its precise meaning depends on the context, denoting either a sequence of events or the pursuit of something. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure clarity to avoid ambiguity, and to choose the most appropriate alternative based on the intended nuance. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, further attesting to its widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be pursuing

Replaces "may be" with "could be", suggesting a lower level of certainty and "after" with "pursuing", focusing on the act of chasing.

might be seeking

Substitutes "may be" with "might be", indicating uncertainty, and "after" with "seeking", emphasizing the intention to find something.

could be following

Replaces "may be" with "could be", indicating possibility, and "after" with "following", suggesting a tracking action.

might be in pursuit of

Replaces "may be" with "might be", showing uncertainty, and rephrases "after" with "in pursuit of", adding formality.

could be intending to get

Replaces "may be" with "could be", indicating possibility, and rephrases "after" with "intending to get", specifying the goal.

possibly seeking

Replaces "may be after" with "possibly seeking", condensing the phrase while maintaining the sense of uncertainty and intent.

potentially pursuing

Replaces "may be after" with "potentially pursuing", maintaining the sense of chasing with a hint of uncertainty.

perhaps seeking out

Replaces "may be after" with "perhaps seeking out", suggesting a more deliberate and active search.

conceivably chasing

Replaces "may be after" with "conceivably chasing", indicating a possible pursuit or chase.

possibly going for

Replaces "may be after" with "possibly going for", using a more informal expression with a sense of pursuing a goal.

FAQs

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

Use "may be after" to indicate a possibility or speculation about someone or something being pursued or sought. For example, "The police may be after the suspect" or "The success "may be after" several attempts".

What does "may be after" mean?

"May be after" indicates that someone might be pursuing something or that something might happen following another event. The exact meaning depends on the context.

What can I say instead of "may be after"?

Alternatives include "could be pursuing", "might be seeking", or "possibly seeking" depending on the context. The best alternative depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "may be after" formal or informal?

"May be after" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in a variety of contexts, from news articles to casual conversation. However, more formal alternatives like "might be in pursuit of" exist for professional settings.