may be associated with

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be associated with" is correct and commonly used in written English to express a possible connection or relationship between two things.
It is typically used to indicate that there is a possibility or likelihood that something is connected to or related to another thing. Example: Heavy rainfall may be associated with an increased risk of flooding in low-lying areas. In this sentence, the phrase "may be associated with" is used to suggest that heavy rainfall could potentially be related to or connected to the possibility of flooding. It indicates that this connection is not definite or proven, but it is a possibility based on the known effects of heavy rainfall on bodies of water.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Changes in AAAs may be associated with the gut microbiome.

Nature

The sliding phase may be associated with lodging.

Nature

Some research tasks may be associated with this project.

University of California, Berkeley

Such a shift may be associated with changes in content.

Harvard University

Dronedarone may be associated with interstitial lung disease.

Stanford University

This may be associated with infertility and implantation failure.

Yale University

In addition, depression may be associated with chronic medical illnesses.

Columbia University

Increasing financial burden may be associated with physician dissatisfaction.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Endometrial polyps may be associated with increased miscarriage rates.

Reproductive BioMedicine Online

Hip fracture surgery may be associated with substantial blood loss.

British Journal of Anaesthesia

Moreover, repeated OCS bursts may be associated with adverse effects.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "may be associated with", ensure that you are presenting a possible connection, not a definitive one. Provide supporting evidence or context to strengthen the association.

Common error

Avoid using "may be associated with" when a stronger, more direct relationship exists. If evidence strongly supports a causal link, use phrases like "is caused by" or "directly results in" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be associated with" functions as a hedge, softening a claim by indicating a possible relationship rather than a definitive one. Ludwig examples showcase its use in academic, scientific, and news contexts, affirming its role in expressing potential connections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

Academia

25%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be associated with" is a versatile expression used to indicate a possible, but not definitive, connection between two things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, including science, academia, and news media. When using this phrase, remember to provide context or supporting evidence to strengthen the potential association. Alternatives like "could be linked to" or "might be related to" offer similar meanings but may vary slightly in emphasis. It's essential to avoid overstating the association if stronger evidence exists. Overall, "may be associated with" is a valuable tool for expressing uncertainty and possibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be linked to

This alternative suggests a connection or relationship that is possible but not definite.

might be related to

This option implies a possible correlation or association between two elements.

may be connected to

This phrase indicates a potential link or relationship, similar to the original phrase.

can be attributed to

This suggests that something can be caused or explained by a particular factor.

is potentially correlated with

This indicates a statistical relationship that may or may not be causal.

is possibly tied to

This alternative suggests a connection or dependence between two things.

could stem from

This implies that something originates or arises from a specific source or cause.

is a potential consequence of

This suggests that something is a possible result or outcome of a particular action or event.

is indirectly influenced by

This implies a less direct connection, where something is affected through other factors.

shares a relationship with

This option suggests a connection or link, often highlighting a shared characteristic or feature.

FAQs

How can I use "may be associated with" in a sentence?

Use "may be associated with" to indicate a possible, but not definite, connection between two things. For example, "Increased screen time "may be associated with" sleep disturbances in adolescents".

What are some alternatives to "may be associated with"?

Alternatives include "could be linked to", "might be related to", or "may be connected to". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "may be associated with" in formal writing?

Yes, "may be associated with" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic and scientific contexts, where it's important to express uncertainty or possibility.

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

"May be associated with" indicates a possible connection, while "is associated with" implies a more definite or established relationship. Use "may be" when the connection is not fully proven or understood.