may be asked to

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be asked to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are expecting someone to be asked to do something in the future. For example: "If this decision is not made soon, customers may be asked to pay late fees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You may be asked to touch someone.

The New York Times

People wearing scents may be asked to leave.

University of California, Berkeley

Greeters who arrive without prearrangement may be asked to leave.

Cornell University

And now Republicans may be asked to defend these choices.

The Washington Post

Some may be asked to return another day.

The New York Times - Travel

"Ratepayers may be asked to become lenders," he said.

The New York Times

You may be asked to send confirmation of your results.

The Guardian

Some commissioners may be asked to stay, he said.

The New York Times

Now it may be asked to expand it again.

The New York Times

O'Hara may be asked to renegotiate his deal.

The New York Times - Sports

Otherwise you may be asked to check it.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be asked to" when conveying a possibility or expectation of a request, not a certainty. This phrase softens the demand and makes it sound more polite and less assertive.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "may be asked to". While grammatically correct, excessive passive voice can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Consider restructuring the sentence to use an active voice for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be asked to" functions as a modal construction expressing possibility or likelihood. It indicates that an action or request is not certain but is within the realm of possibility. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English when expecting someone to be asked to do something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

37%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be asked to" is a versatile and frequently used phrase indicating a possible request or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across varied writing contexts. It is most prevalent in academic and news-related content, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, remember that it conveys a possibility, not a certainty, and consider alternatives to avoid overuse of passive voice. This phrase effectively softens demands, rendering communication more considerate and less forceful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be requested to

Similar in meaning but substitutes "asked" with "requested" emphasizing formality.

could be required to

Emphasizes a stronger sense of obligation or necessity compared to a simple request.

might be called upon to

Suggests a formal or official request, often implying a duty or responsibility.

may be expected to

Focuses on expectations rather than a direct request.

might have to

Indicates a possibility of needing to perform an action, often due to circumstances.

could be prompted to

Implies a gentle encouragement or suggestion rather than a forceful request.

may be invited to

Suggests a more welcoming and less mandatory tone than "asked".

might be given the opportunity to

Highlights the chance or occasion to do something.

may find it necessary to

Shifts the focus to the perceived need or obligation to act.

could be in a position to

Emphasizes the potential or capability to take action.

FAQs

How to use "may be asked to" in a sentence?

"May be asked to" indicates a possibility or expectation. For instance, "Attendees "may be asked to" show their tickets at the entrance" suggests it's possible, not guaranteed.

What can I say instead of "may be asked to"?

You can use alternatives like "might be requested to", "could be required to", or "might be called upon to" depending on the context.

Is "may be asked to" formal or informal?

"May be asked to" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. For informal contexts, you might use "might have to" or a similar construction.

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

"May be asked to" implies a possibility, while "will be asked to" indicates a certainty. The former suggests a request that might happen, whereas the latter promises a definite request.