may be being

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be being" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something is likely or possible to be happening right now. For example, "I think the office may be being cleaned right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He may be being realistic.

The Guardian

I accept I may be being unreasonable.

The Guardian

Alternatively, he may be being accurate.

The New Yorker

Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Taliban's chief, may be being sheltered.

The New York Times

(I think that a US audience may be being courted).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I may be being presumptuous, but I bet this never happens with anorexia or heart disease.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They may be being good citizens, but it's not good for the club," Callis said.

The New York Times

A speedy trial is an important one that may be being overlooked.

The New York Times

An image may be being embossed on Clegg's party that is indelible.

The Guardian

The theme of the book, she said, may be being with crazy people in crazy situations.

The New York Times

Ms Amelekhina may be being diplomatic when she says that the gowns were too fragile.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be being" to express a present continuous action with a degree of uncertainty. It is particularly useful when reporting possibilities or speculations, such as "The data may be being misinterpreted".

Common error

Avoid constructing overly complex sentences with "may be being" when a simpler active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The problem may be being addressed by the team", consider "The team may be addressing the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be being" functions as a modal construction indicating a possibility about an action that is currently in progress. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct. It combines the modal verb "may" with the auxiliary verbs "be" and "being" to form the progressive passive voice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be being" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a possibility concerning an action in progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its prevalence across various sources highlights its versatility. While it is most commonly found in news and scientific contexts, it can be adapted for other forms of communication. Remember to use it when conveying uncertainty about an ongoing situation and to avoid overly complex sentence structures. Consider simpler constructions if the context allows.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be happening

Emphasizes possibility and current action, similar to "may be being", but "could" implies a slightly lower degree of certainty.

might be occurring

"Might" also indicates possibility, with "occurring" providing a more formal alternative to "happening".

could well be taking place

Adds emphasis on the likelihood of the event happening.

might actually be transpiring

More formal and emphasizes that something is currently happening, possibly unexpectedly.

may in fact be unfolding

Similar in meaning, but "unfolding" suggests a process or event that is gradually developing.

possibly is underway

"Underway" implies that something has already started and is in progress.

potentially is happening

"Potentially" focuses on the possibility of the event occurring.

conceivably is in progress

"Conceivably" highlights the possibility that something is happening, though it may not be evident.

it is potentially the case that

More verbose and formal, explicitly stating a possibility.

it is not out of the question that

Expresses possibility by negating impossibility, making it a more indirect way of conveying the same idea.

FAQs

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

Use "may be being" to indicate a possibility or uncertainty about an action that is currently in progress. For example, "The project "may be being" delayed due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "may be being"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could be happening", "might be occurring", or "possibly is underway", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is "may be being" grammatically correct?

Yes, "may be being" is grammatically correct. It combines the modal verb "may" with the progressive passive form "be being" to express a possible ongoing action.

What is the difference between "may be" and "may be being"?

"May be" indicates a state or condition, whereas ""may be being"" indicates an action in progress. For example, "The solution may be complex" (state) vs. "The solution "may be being" implemented" (action).