may be bought

USAGE SUMMARY

'may be bought' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is equivalent to the phrase 'can be bought' and is used to indicate that something is available for purchase. For example: "These delicious cookies may be bought from the store in town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tickets may be bought at the door.

The New York Times - Tech

A driving licence may be bought for someone without experience.

The Economist

Subject to availability, tickets may be bought at the door.

The New York Times

Tickets at $20 may be bought Saturday at the tavern.

The New York Times

Tickets, $22.50 to $28.75, may be bought at the door.

The New York Times - Travel

They may be bought through Ticketmaster or at the gate.

The New York Times

Tells about Clark & Wilkins on E. 128 St .where firewood may be bought at high prices.

The New Yorker

Tickets at $15 may be bought at the door or call [phone] for reservations.

The New York Times

Up to seven additional coupons may be bought for $99 each.

The New York Times - Travel

For tent seating, which may be bought in advance, admission is $25 for all.

The New York Times

Returned tickets may be bought at venues immediately before the events.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be bought" when you want to express that something is permitted or possible to be purchased, often implying a degree of uncertainty or conditionality about the purchase. For example, "Tickets may be bought at the door, subject to availability."

Common error

Avoid using "may be bought" when you want to convey a certainty of purchase. If the item is definitely available, phrases like "is available for purchase" or "can be bought" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be bought" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject receives the action of buying. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase in English. The auxiliary verb "may" indicates possibility or permission, as seen in examples where "tickets" or "coupons" are the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be bought" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase indicating the possibility or permission to purchase something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is equivalent to "can be bought" but introduces a nuance of conditionality or permission. This passive construction is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and general informational contexts like wikis. While versatile, it's crucial to distinguish its meaning from stronger assertions of availability and select it carefully to accurately reflect the intended level of certainty. Its frequent presence in authoritative sources underscores its acceptability and broad applicability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be purchased

Replaces "bought" with the more formal "purchased" while retaining the same meaning.

may be acquired

Similar to "can be acquired", but maintains the "may" to indicate possibility or conditionality.

is available for purchase

Uses a different structure to express the availability of something for buying.

is obtainable

Indicates that something can be obtained, which often implies through buying but can also include other means.

is for sale

Directly states that something is being offered for buying.

is on the market

Suggests something is available for purchase, particularly real estate or businesses.

can be acquired

Similar to "obtainable", but often implies a more formal or complex acquisition process.

is procurable

A more formal synonym for "obtainable".

can be secured

Implies effort might be needed to obtain the item, but still suggests it's possible to buy.

is up for grabs

An informal way of saying something is available, often implying competition or urgency.

FAQs

What does "may be bought" mean?

The phrase "may be bought" indicates that something is available for purchase, but there might be conditions or limitations. It suggests a possibility rather than a certainty.

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

You can use "may be bought" to describe the availability of an item or service. For instance, "Additional coupons "may be bought" for $99 each."

What's the difference between "may be bought" and "can be bought"?

"May be bought" suggests permission or possibility, while "can be bought" indicates ability or general availability. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize permission or capability.

What are some alternatives to "may be bought"?

Alternatives include "can be purchased", "is available for purchase", or "may be acquired", depending on the context and level of formality.