may be by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility or uncertainty regarding the method or means of something occurring. Example: "The decision may be by consensus, depending on the opinions of all members involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

This may be by design.

The New York Times

That may be by design.

The New York Times

Some of the darkness may be by design.

The New Yorker

Some parts of the play may be by Thomas Middleton.

Britannica

At speaker's request, some events may be by invitation only.

Stanford University

This notification may be by letter or electronic mail.

University of California, Berkeley

Elections may be by separate ballots following the same order as the above nominations or, if preferred, may be by one ballot for all offices.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Others traits may be by-products of another characteristic.

University of California, Berkeley

Disease-associated genes may be by-products of meiotic recombination.

BMC Genomics

He may be protected by presidential immunity.

Independent

Great leaders may be ambushed by fate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be by" to express uncertainty about the exact method or cause, acknowledging other possibilities. For example, "The error may be by design, or it may be a bug."

Common error

Avoid using "may be by" when you're certain about the cause or method. Instead, opt for more assertive phrases like "is certainly caused by" or "is definitely achieved through".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be by" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or potential means through which something occurs. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from design choices to scientific processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

18%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be by" is a versatile linguistic tool for expressing possibility or uncertainty regarding a method, cause, or agent. Grammatically sound and widely used, as proven by Ludwig, it finds application across various domains, including news, academia, science, and general discourse. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, allowing writers to convey tentativeness without sacrificing clarity.

While "may be by" is generally correct, it's essential to avoid using it when certainty prevails. In such cases, more assertive phrases are better suited. Remember, "may be by" is your go-to phrase when you want to acknowledge possibilities without making definitive claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be through

Replaces the modal verb "may" with "could" and uses "through" instead of "by" to indicate means.

might be via

Substitutes "may" with "might" and "by" with "via", both changes conveying similar levels of possibility and means.

can be attributed to

Indicates a cause or origin, similar to "by" indicating a means or agent.

is possibly due to

Emphasizes the potential cause of something, replacing the direct means with a cause-and-effect relationship.

can result from

Suggests a consequence or outcome stemming from a particular action or source.

is potentially achieved through

Highlights the potential achievement of something using a specific method.

is perhaps a consequence of

Focuses on a possible outcome or result of something, changing the focus from the direct means.

possibly stems from

Suggests the origin or source of something, offering a different perspective on the means or cause.

may arise from

Indicates the origin or emergence of something, similar to a cause-and-effect relationship.

might originate in

Focuses on the source or beginning of something, providing a different angle on the means.

FAQs

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

Use "may be by" to indicate a possibility or uncertainty regarding the method, cause, or means of something. For example, "The solution "may be by" implementing stricter regulations."

What are some alternatives to using "may be by"?

You can use alternatives like "could be through", "might be via", or "is possibly due to depending on the context".

Is it always correct to use "may be by" when expressing possibility?

While generally correct, ensure the context aligns with the uncertainty you're trying to convey. If certainty exists, use stronger language. If referring to a person, consider "might be done by".

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

"May be by" indicates possibility or uncertainty, while "is by" implies certainty. For example, "The painting may be by Van Gogh" suggests doubt, whereas "The painting is by Van Gogh" asserts its authenticity.