may be discovered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be discovered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of finding or uncovering something in the future. Example: "New species of plants may be discovered in the uncharted rainforest."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ethnopharmacology is a very interesting resource in which new therapies may be discovered.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

General principles and mechanisms may be discovered and then validated by more traditional experimental designs.

Human Movement Science

We propose that relevant symbols may be discovered by learning patterns of functional viability.

Computer-Aided Design

The confirmatory evidence, however, may be discovered either in the present or in the future.

Britannica

Second, profound questions are not always obvious questions, so new questions may be discovered.

MIT Technology Review

Through studying such patients, Dr. Braun believes, wider medical applications may be discovered.

The New York Times - Science

Twelve sites have filed official reports since 2003, and more may be discovered soon.

The New York Times

Less obvious effects may be discovered after microscopic examination of tissue and bone structures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"This will help mitigate other Java vulnerabilities that may be discovered in the future".

The New York Times

But even if they do not, some new astronomical phenomena may be discovered by the project.

The Economist

"In the future — who knows? — new stones may be discovered," Mr. Jain said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be discovered" when indicating a genuine possibility of finding something new or previously unknown. It's particularly suitable in contexts involving exploration, research, or investigation.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "may be discovered" when an active voice would be more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "New evidence may be discovered by the team", consider "The team may discover new evidence."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be discovered" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating a possibility or likelihood of something being found or revealed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be discovered" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction to indicate a possibility of something being found or revealed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Its primary function is to express uncertainty about future findings, appearing most commonly in scientific and news-related contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider whether an active voice construction might provide more directness and engagement in certain situations. Alternatives like "could be found" or "might be revealed" offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be found

Expresses a possibility with slightly less certainty.

might be revealed

Suggests a gradual unveiling or disclosure.

can be detected

Focuses on the act of noticing or sensing something.

could be unearthed

Implies digging up or uncovering something hidden.

might come to light

Indicates that something will become known or public.

can be identified

Highlights the ability to recognize or pinpoint something.

may come into view

Suggests appearing or becoming visible.

may be brought to light

Emphasizes actively revealing something.

might be ascertained

Indicates finding something out for certain.

can potentially emerge

Highlights the possibility of something arising or appearing.

FAQs

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

The phrase "may be discovered" indicates a possibility that something will be found or revealed in the future. For example, "New species "may be discovered" in unexplored regions."

What are some alternatives to "may be discovered"?

Alternatives include "could be found", "might be revealed", or "can be detected", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "may be discovered" or "might be discovered"?

Both "may be discovered" and "might be discovered" are grammatically correct and express similar levels of possibility. "May" implies a slightly higher degree of likelihood compared to "might".

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

"May be discovered" indicates a possibility, while "will be discovered" expresses a higher degree of certainty about a future finding.