may be connected

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be connected" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to suggest a potential link between two ideas or events. For example: "The sudden drop in productivity may be connected to the new computer system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This transformer connection has no polarity and may be connected either way.

WikiHow

Interestingly, these two things may be connected.

The Guardian

He thinks the two may be connected.

The Guardian - Music

This demographic shift may be connected to prescribing patterns.

The New Yorker

This diversity may be connected with an odor gradient.

Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants

Some even speculate that all three events may be connected.

The Economist

They may be connected to all the phone networks over the course of their journey".

The Guardian

A fund in London may be connected to another in Thailand and not even know it.

The New York Times

He wonders whom they may be connected to, and if they have guns.

The New York Times

Avoid using passwords that may be connected to family and pet names, or past addresses.

The Guardian - Money

This contradiction may be connected with the problems of the show, which separates the two visions.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be connected" when suggesting a possible, but not definite, relationship between two things. Avoid using it when you have concrete evidence of a connection.

Common error

Avoid using "may be connected" when a stronger, more definitive phrase like "is" or "are connected" is more accurate based on available evidence. Overusing tentative language can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be connected" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility combined with the passive voice. It suggests a potential relationship or link between two or more entities without asserting a definitive connection. This is consistent with examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be connected" serves as a useful tool for suggesting a possible, yet unconfirmed, relationship between different elements. As shown by Ludwig, this expression is grammatically sound and commonly used in various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While it's important to use this phrase judiciously—avoiding overstatement—it provides a valuable way to introduce potential connections without making definitive claims. Keep in mind alternative phrasing options such as "could be linked" or "might be related" for nuances, and always ensure the level of certainty matches the available evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be linked

Emphasizes the possibility of a direct link or relationship.

might be related

Suggests a possible correlation or association.

could be associated

Focuses on the potential for a connection or partnership.

might be tied to

Implies a dependency or causal relationship.

could be correlated

Indicates a statistical relationship between variables.

might stem from

Suggests that one thing originates from another.

could be attributed to

Indicates a cause-and-effect relationship.

might be a consequence of

Suggests that one thing is a result of another.

could have a connection to

Directly states the possibility of a connection.

might be indicative of

Suggests that one thing is a sign or symptom of another.

FAQs

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

Use "may be connected" to suggest a possible link or relationship between two or more things. For example, "The recent increase in unemployment "may be connected" to the closure of the factory".

What are some alternatives to "may be connected"?

You can use alternatives such as "could be linked", "might be related", or "could be associated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "may be connected" or "is connected"?

"May be connected" implies a possibility or suggestion, while "is connected" asserts a definite relationship. Use "is connected" only when you have sufficient evidence to support a direct link.

What is the difference between "may be connected" and "may be related"?

While similar, "may be connected" often implies a direct link or interaction, whereas "may be related" suggests a more general association or shared characteristic. The choice depends on the specific context.