may be constrained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be constrained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing limitations or restrictions that could affect a situation or outcome. Example: "The project's timeline may be constrained by budget limitations and resource availability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their range of alternatives may be constrained by wartime circumstance — more constrained than Cardona's.

The New Yorker

Further, the strength of siderophore cheating may be constrained.

Nature

Also, as with laptops, an AIO's performance may be constrained by heat generation problems.

The Guardian - Tech

Its authors barely acknowledge that America's own power may be constrained.

The Economist

"The outbreak response may be constrained by the current security situation in Côte d'Ivoire," the WHO said.

The Guardian

Improvements in computational systems may be constrained by the efficiency of storage drives.

Journal of Systems and Software

Mr Rockefeller may be constrained by political exigencies to defend companies that do this, but it's pretty shameful stuff.

The Economist

More importantly, he shows that though those people may be constrained and angered by their economic and social circumstances, their outlook is not narrowed by them.

The Guardian - Books

He may be constrained by his unpopularity outside the Republican Party, as well as by the professionalism of the F.B.I., the judiciary, and the press.

The New Yorker

But their power may be constrained, even in democracies, as intermediary liability is seized upon as the easy way to fight crime, porn, defamation and intellectual property piracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

She said it would be up to the international community what they did with that information but added: "There is no possibility that my voice may be constrained".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be constrained" when you want to indicate a potential limitation or restriction without stating it as a definite fact. This allows for a more nuanced and cautious tone.

Common error

Avoid using "may be constrained" when the limitation is already known or confirmed. In such cases, a more direct statement of fact is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be constrained" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a possibility or potential limitation. It modifies a noun or verb, suggesting that the subject's actions or state could be restricted by certain factors. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be constrained" is a versatile expression used to denote potential limitations or restrictions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across diverse contexts, including science, news, and business. It's crucial to use this phrase when conveying uncertainty about a limitation, avoiding its use when the limitation is already known. Alternatives like "might be limited" or "could be restricted" can be used to achieve similar effects. The frequency of its use suggests its widespread acceptance in formal and neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be limited

Expresses a similar idea of potential restriction, but uses a different modal verb and adjective.

could be restricted

Indicates a possibility of being restricted, using "could" instead of "may".

might be restricted

Expresses a similar level of possibility as "may be constrained", using "might" instead of "may".

could be limited

Indicates a potential limitation using "could" instead of "may".

may be hampered

Suggests that something might be impeded or made difficult.

may be impeded

Indicates a potential obstruction or hindrance.

may be hindered

Similar to "may be hampered", suggesting a potential slowing down or prevention.

may face limitations

Focuses on the act of experiencing limitations, rather than being limited.

may encounter restrictions

Emphasizes the act of coming across restrictions.

is potentially restricted

Highlights the potential for restriction, using a more direct and declarative tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "may be constrained" to indicate a possible limitation or restriction, such as "The project's timeline "may be constrained" by budget limitations".

What are some alternatives to "may be constrained"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might be limited", "could be restricted", or "may be hindered", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"May be constrained" suggests a possibility or potential limitation, while "is constrained" states a definite and existing limitation. The choice depends on the certainty of the limitation.

What does "may be constrained" imply about the situation?

It implies that there are factors that could potentially limit or restrict something, but it doesn't confirm that those factors will definitely have that effect.