may be chosen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be chosen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is an option or possibility that can be selected. Example: "In this survey, multiple answers may be chosen to reflect your preferences accurately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The party's candidate may be chosen in an open primary.

The Guardian

At most one 2000-level course may be chosen.

Cornell University

This control may be chosen a priori bounded.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

RULES Five different rules may be chosen to govern debate on the House floor.

The New York Times

Some are expected to retire, and several may be chosen as instructional supervisors.

The New York Times

And fellows may be chosen to travel abroad for a project, at no cost to them.

The New York Times

Under the law that created the medal, up to 12 recipients may be chosen each year.

The New York Times - Arts

At most one course may be chosen that is offered by the student's major department.

Cornell University

The remaining graduate-level science and engineering lecture courses may be chosen from any department.

Stanford University

The Standing Committee maintains a list of courses that may be chosen to fill the requirement.

Columbia University

The remaining three or more courses may be chosen from any area.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be chosen" when expressing a possibility or option for selection, especially when the choice depends on certain conditions or criteria. For example, "The winning design may be chosen based on originality and feasibility."

Common error

Avoid using "may be chosen" when the selection is mandatory or predetermined. Instead, use phrases like "will be selected" or "must be chosen" to indicate certainty. For example, don't say "One candidate may be chosen" when only one candidate will definitely be selected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be chosen" functions as a passive construction indicating possibility or potential. It suggests that an action (being chosen) could happen to a subject, depending on certain conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

News & Media

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be chosen" is a versatile phrase used to express possibility in selection contexts. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It's commonly found in academic, news, and scientific writing, conveying a neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the contingent nature of the selection. For mandatory scenarios, consider alternatives like "will be selected".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be selected

Replaces "may" with "can", indicating ability or possibility but slightly more direct.

might be selected

Uses "might" instead of "may", suggesting a slightly lower probability.

could be picked

Substitutes "chosen" with "picked", offering a more informal tone.

is able to be selected

Replaces "may" with "is able", emphasizing the capability of being selected.

could be elected

Replaces "chosen" with "elected", specifying selection by a vote.

is permitted to be chosen

Replaces "may" with "is permitted", suggesting authorization or allowance.

is allowed to be selected

Emphasizes permission or authorization for the selection process.

can be designated

Replaces "chosen" with "designated", suggesting a more formal appointment.

is eligible to be chosen

Expands the phrase to explicitly state eligibility for selection, adding emphasis.

is liable to be selected

Suggests a higher likelihood of being chosen, implying a strong possibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "may be chosen" to indicate a possibility or option for selection. For instance, "The best applicant "may be chosen" for the scholarship" indicates the applicant could be selected but isn't guaranteed.

What phrases are similar to "may be chosen"?

Alternatives include "can be selected", "might be picked", or "could be elected", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "might be chosen" instead of "may be chosen"?

Yes, "might be chosen" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "may be chosen". However, "might" often suggests a slightly lower probability than "may".

What's the difference between "may be chosen" and "will be chosen"?

"May be chosen" indicates a possibility, whereas "will be chosen" implies certainty. If a selection is guaranteed, use "will be chosen"; if it's contingent, use "may be chosen".