may be allowed

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be allowed" is correct for use in written English.
You can use it to suggest permission or possibility in different situations. For example, "You may be allowed to have a pet if you can prove that you can take good care of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Children may be allowed on the beach.

The Guardian - Money

(Alternatively, crepes may be allowed to cool for reheating later).

The New York Times - Food

Under Volcker, certain "asset-liability management" trades may be allowed.

The New York Times

Traffic may be allowed, but greatly slowed by the addition of "pinch points" at intersections.

The New York Times

Under some circumstances, Ms. Hirsch said, additional vacancy increases may be allowed.

The New York Times

Dealers may be allowed to supply cars for resale to independent retailers or even supermarket chains.

The New York Times

A great injustice may be allowed thereby to enter into our system".

The Guardian

Still, some of those weaker banks may be allowed to repay the money soon.

The New York Times

Once it is running, the ESM may be allowed to recapitalise banks directly.

The Economist

Couples in which both partners are single children may be allowed two.

The Economist

A boy may be allowed to put up posters later, but nothing more.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be allowed" when indicating that something is possibly permitted but not guaranteed. Be clear about the conditions or circumstances that influence this possibility.

Common error

Avoid using "may be allowed" when you intend to express a definite permission or authorization. "Is allowed" or "is permitted" are more appropriate when there's no uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be allowed" functions as a modal construction expressing possibility and permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests that an action or situation is potentially permitted but not guaranteed. The phrase combines the modal verb 'may' with the passive voice construction 'be allowed'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

31%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be allowed" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate potential or conditional permission. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific and general discussions. The phrase is very common, with usage patterns showing prevalence in neutral to formal registers. While versatile, it's important to use "may be allowed" accurately, distinguishing it from stronger assertions and ensuring clarity in conveying permission or authorization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be permitted

Replaces "allowed" with "permitted" and "may" with "might", indicating a slightly lower degree of certainty.

could be authorized

Substitutes "may" with "could" and "allowed" with "authorized", suggesting potential but not guaranteed authorization.

might be granted

Replaces "allowed" with "granted" implying formal approval, and "may" with "might", expressing less certainty.

could be conceded

Changes "allowed" to "conceded", implying something is granted reluctantly or after some resistance.

can be sanctioned

Replaces "may be" with "can be" and "allowed" with "sanctioned", indicating official approval or endorsement.

is potentially permissible

Rephrases the sentence to use "permissible" instead of "allowed" and adds "potentially" to emphasize the possibility.

is possibly tolerated

Replaces "allowed" with "tolerated", suggesting acceptance without enthusiasm, and uses "possibly" for a degree of uncertainty.

is conditionally approved

Emphasizes that the approval depends on certain conditions being met.

is subject to authorization

Highlights that the action is dependent on receiving authorization, indicating a formal requirement.

is liable to be endorsed

Suggests a high likelihood of endorsement, implying strong support or approval.

FAQs

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

Use "may be allowed" to express that something is potentially permitted, depending on certain conditions or rules. For example, "Children "may be allowed" on the beach if accompanied by an adult."

What is a good substitute for "may be allowed"?

Alternatives include "might be permitted", "could be authorized", or "might be granted", depending on the context and the level of formality you need.

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

"May be allowed" suggests a possibility or conditional permission, while "is allowed" indicates a definite permission without uncertainty. Consider the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "may be allow" instead of "may be allowed"?

No, "may be allow" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""may be allowed"", where "allowed" is the past participle of the verb "allow".