may be altered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be altered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something can or might be changed. For example, "The regulations governing this procedure may be altered at the discretion of the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If all of that is reduced to a drug or an injectable, the meaning of sport may be altered irrevocably.

The New York Times - Health

The rate or depth of respiration may be altered to bring about adjustments in ventilation volume.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Therefore, the sequence of the natural mode may be altered.

Composite Structures

This score may be altered by the listed modifiers.

Journal of Cheminformatics

An MIH message may be altered on the way.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In addition, communication between endothelial cells may be altered.

Annals of Intensive Care

An MIH message may be altered on the way.  .

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Mr Rehn said that the plan may be altered.

BBC

Biomarker levels in urine however may be altered by intravascular volume availability and chronic renal insufficiency.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

The amplitude behavior may be altered by adding low order terms to Eq. (21).

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

It is also possible that crystallinity of intracellular PHB may be altered in these mutant strains.

AMB Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be altered" to indicate a possibility of change without stating a definite outcome. This is useful in contexts where changes are anticipated but not certain.

Common error

Avoid using "may be altered" when you need to express a definite change or an already completed alteration. Instead, use "has been altered" or "will be altered" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be altered" functions as a modal verb phrase in the passive voice. It expresses a possibility or potential for change, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

12%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be altered" is a versatile expression used to indicate a possibility of change. Grammatically correct and very common, it finds frequent use in scientific, news, and general contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples to illustrate its usage. While highly flexible, it's important to avoid using it when certainty is required, opting instead for phrases like "has been altered" or "will be altered". Consider alternatives such as "could be modified" or "might be changed" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be modified

Indicates possibility and change, similar to "may be altered" but uses "could" for a slightly weaker possibility and "modified" to indicate a change.

might be changed

Expresses a possibility of change, similar to "may be altered", using "might" as a synonym of "may" and "changed" as a synonym of "altered".

can be adjusted

Implies the ability to make adjustments, similar to "may be altered", but focuses on the action of adjusting.

is subject to change

Indicates that something is liable or likely to change, similar to "may be altered", but emphasizes the potential for change.

is liable to modification

Expresses that something is likely to be modified, sharing the sense of potential change with "may be altered".

is susceptible to variation

Highlights the possibility of variation or fluctuation, similar to "may be altered", focusing on the idea of change within a range.

can undergo transformation

Emphasizes a more significant change or transformation, where "may be altered" suggests a simpler change.

is open to revision

Suggests that something can be revised or reviewed, which is related to the concept of being altered but implies a more formal process.

is capable of being reformed

Implies a potential for restructuring or reforming, where "may be altered" might suggest smaller adjustments.

is subject to amendment

Refers specifically to the possibility of being amended or formally changed, which is a more specific type of alteration.

FAQs

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

You can use "may be altered" to express that something has the possibility of being changed. For example, "The project timeline "may be altered" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "may be altered"?

Some alternatives include "could be modified", "might be changed", or "can be adjusted", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "may be altered" or "can be altered"?

Both "may be altered" and "can be altered" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "May" suggests possibility, while "can" suggests ability. So, use "may" when indicating a possibility of change and "can" when indicating the ability to change.

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

"May be altered" indicates a possibility of change, while "will be altered" indicates a future certainty. Use "may be altered" when the change is uncertain and "will be altered" when the change is definite.