may be doable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be doable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that a task or idea is possible to accomplish, though it may require effort or consideration. Example: "The project seems challenging, but with the right resources, it may be doable within the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"They may be doable," she said, "but as a board you've really got to make sure appropriate protections are taken".

The New York Times

It's pretty obvious that it may be doable to be small, and difficult to be medium-sized, where the big players will squeeze the medium player out.

The New York Times

They then suggest that, when compared to other possibilities, substantially more cuts may be doable than the Congressional research numbers suggest.

The New York Times

It may be doable: Hamas's leader gave rare if grudging approval to Mr Obama's sweet words in Cairo, where America's president acknowledged that "some Palestinians" supported it and urged it to join the diplomatic fray.The gap between Israelis and Palestinians remains wide.

The Economist

That may be doable.

Forbes

That experiment may be doable if θ13 is large.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Some or all of these cautious and incremental suggestions may actually be doable, though it is unclear at present exactly who would bring them to fruition.

Science Magazine

And I think that we are risking young men and women in a mission that may frankly not be doable".

The New York Times

Mr. Coker's advice to Mr. Davis and Mr. Peterson: It may be a "doable" race if they can increase their name recognition.

The New York Times

While handling addiction may be a doable task for Bauer, he admits that one of his biggest challenges as Andy is trying not to be intimidated by his incredibly fit "True Blood" co-stars Alexander Skarsgard, Stephen Moyer and Ryan Kwanten.

Huffington Post

One way forward that may be both doable and instructive is to establish an in vitro phenotype using the genetic variants of the disease first, and then test the sporadic cases to determine if there are culture conditions that will produce the same disease pathology.

BMC Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be doable", consider the level of certainty you want to convey. If you're more confident, use "is likely doable" or "is probably doable".

Common error

Avoid using "may be doable" when the task is clearly impossible or highly improbable. Instead, use phrases like "unlikely to be doable" or "not feasible".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be doable" functions as a modal phrase indicating a possibility or potential for something to be accomplished. It suggests a conditional feasibility. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is used to express a suggestion that a task or idea is possible to accomplish, though it may require effort or consideration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science & Research

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be doable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys a sense of possibility coupled with potential effort. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates that something is possible to accomplish, albeit with some consideration. While not extremely frequent, it appears across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Alternatives such as "might be feasible" or "could be achievable" offer subtle variations in emphasis. The phrase functions as a modal phrase expressing a measured assessment of feasibility and is appropriate for diverse contexts while maintaining a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be feasible

Emphasizes practicality and the potential for successful execution.

could be achievable

Focuses on the possibility of reaching a specific goal or outcome.

may be attainable

Highlights the potential to acquire or obtain something through effort.

might be accomplishable

Stresses the ability to bring something to completion.

could be within reach

Suggests that something is potentially accessible or obtainable with effort.

might be viable

Focuses on the capacity of something to function effectively or be sustainable.

could be successfully executed

Emphasizes the potential for a project or plan to be carried out effectively.

may prove feasible

Indicates uncertainty but suggests the potential for feasibility to be demonstrated.

might turn out to be doable

Suggests that the feasibility is contingent on future events or circumstances.

could potentially be realized

Highlights the possibility of making an idea or plan a reality.

FAQs

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

Use "may be doable" to express that something is potentially achievable, though possibly with some effort or planning. For example, "The project seems challenging, but with the right resources, it "may be doable" within the deadline".

What can I say instead of "may be doable"?

You can use alternatives like "might be feasible", "could be achievable", or "may be attainable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may be doable" or "might be doable"?

Both "may be doable" and "might be doable" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Might" often implies a slightly lower probability than "may", but the difference is subtle.

What's the difference between "may be doable" and "is doable"?

"May be doable" suggests a possibility or potential, whereas "is doable" implies a higher degree of certainty and feasibility. "Is doable" suggests the task is definitely achievable, while "may be doable" acknowledges some uncertainty or required effort.