may be collected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be collected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are indicating that something is allowed or possible to be gathered or obtained. Example: "The data may be collected from various sources to ensure accuracy in the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These may be collected either through the catheter collection port or through puncture of the tubing with a needle [ 4].

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

This information may be collected by degrees.

Harvard Business Review

Samples may be collected post milking for best results.

Cornell University

§ 757.1 Scope of subpart A. § 757.4 Claims that may be collected.

Cornell University

It was shown that biodegradables may be collected separately from the rest of household waste.

Environmental Science & Policy

Packages may be collected directly from the spinning tower to give what is called continuous filament, or several lines of fibre may be collected into a large tow for cutting to staple.

Britannica

If he fails to perform the required act, the money may be collected in an appropriate legal proceeding.

Britannica

Copal may be collected from living trees or mined as a fossil.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Among them are whether patients fully understand how their health information may be collected, used, stored and shared.

Stanford University

The alcohol lost by evaporation during the bioethanol fermentation process may be collected and recovered using an absorption column.

Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence

The lawsuit claims that the department has exceeded limits set by Congress on the information that may be collected about students' Social Security numbers and ethnicity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be collected", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being collected and under what conditions or permissions. This will enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "may be collected" excessively in passive voice constructions, as it can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider rephrasing sentences to use active voice where appropriate for a more direct and impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be collected" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating that something is permitted or possible to be gathered. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is suitable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

Academia

29%

News & Media

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be collected" is a versatile modal passive construction that conveys the possibility or permission to gather or obtain something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it’s grammatically sound and widely used, as confirmed by the numerous examples available. Its usage spans various registers, from formal scientific writing to neutral news reporting. While it's crucial to ensure the context clearly indicates what is being gathered and under what conditions, writers should avoid overusing passive constructions to maintain a direct and impactful tone. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively employ "may be collected" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be collected

Indicates ability or possibility, similar to 'may be collected', but with a slightly stronger sense of capability.

could be collected

Expresses a possibility or conditional ability to collect something.

might be collected

Suggests a weaker possibility compared to 'may be collected'.

can potentially be collected

Emphasizes the potential or possibility of something being collected.

could potentially be gathered

Similar to 'can potentially be collected', but uses 'gathered' as an alternative to 'collected'.

are eligible to be collected

Specifies that something meets the requirements to be collected.

are permitted to be collected

Indicates that there is permission or authorization for something to be collected.

are allowed to be collected

Similar to 'are permitted to be collected', indicating allowance or authorization.

have the potential to be collected

Focuses on the inherent potential for something to be collected.

are liable to be collected

Indicates a probability or tendency for something to be collected, often in a legal or formal context.

FAQs

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

"May be collected" indicates a possibility or permission. For example, "Data "may be collected" from various sources for analysis."

What are some alternatives to "may be collected"?

Alternatives include "can be collected", "could be collected", or "might be collected", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "may be collected" or "can be collected"?

"May be collected" is generally considered more formal than "can be collected", as "may" implies permission or possibility in a more polite or official tone.

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

"May be collected" indicates a possibility, while "will be collected" implies a certainty or planned action. The choice depends on whether the collection is definite or conditional.