may be beginning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be beginning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is possibly starting or commencing, often in a tentative or uncertain manner. Example: "The project may be beginning to show signs of progress after several months of hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A conversion may be beginning.

The New York Times

That disastrous cycle may be beginning again.

The New York Times

The balance may be beginning to shift".

The Guardian

But that may be beginning to change.

The Guardian

Now, the Greenbergs' luck may be beginning to change.

The New York Times

It feels like another one may be beginning.

The New Yorker

Indeed the two aims may be beginning to elide.

The Economist

You may be beginning to get my point.

The New York Times

But the process of reducing staff may be beginning.

The New York Times

Garnett may be beginning to realize that the Timberwolves cannot reach another level.

The New York Times - Sports

But there are signs that bargain may be beginning to fray.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be beginning" to express uncertainty about the start of an event or process. It's suitable when you want to indicate a possibility without stating it as a definite fact.

Common error

Avoid using "may be beginning" when you have concrete evidence that something has already started. In such cases, a more direct statement is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be beginning" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or uncertainty regarding the commencement of an action or event. Ludwig AI's analysis suggests it is commonly used to express tentativeness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be beginning" serves as a versatile tool for expressing the potential start of something without asserting it as a certainty. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples confirms its widespread use across news, academic, and general writing. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to maintain consistency in tone and avoid overstating the certainty of an event's commencement. Remember that alternative phrasing such as "might be starting" or "could be commencing" may be better suited depending on the level of formality or nuance you wish to convey. Consider the context and evidence available before using "may be beginning" to ensure its accuracy and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be commencing

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating a slightly weaker possibility, and replaces "beginning" with the more formal "commencing".

could be starting

Substitutes "may" with "could", suggesting possibility, and "beginning" with "starting", offering a more casual tone.

might be initiating

Uses "might" for possibility and "initiating" as a more formal alternative to "beginning", implying a deliberate start.

is possibly starting

Emphasizes the possibility with "possibly", while retaining the simpler term "starting".

could be unfolding

Replaces "beginning" with "unfolding", suggesting a gradual revelation or development.

is potentially commencing

Highlights the potential with "potentially" and uses "commencing" for a formal tone.

appears to be starting

Indicates an observation of something starting, rather than just a possibility.

seems to be commencing

Similar to "appears to be starting" but uses the more formal "commencing".

is on the verge of starting

Indicates that something is very close to beginning.

is about to begin

Implies immediacy, suggesting something will start very soon.

FAQs

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

Use "may be beginning" to express that something is possibly starting. For example, "The project "may be beginning" to show signs of progress."

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

"May be beginning" suggests uncertainty, while "is beginning" indicates that something is definitely starting.

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

You can use alternatives like "might be starting", "could be commencing", or "appears to be starting" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "may be begin" instead of "may be beginning"?

No, "may be begin" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""may be beginning"", where "beginning" is the present participle of the verb 'begin'.