may be enforced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be enforced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that a rule, law, or agreement has the potential to be applied or upheld. Example: "The new regulations may be enforced starting next month, ensuring compliance among all businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"Regulations may be enforced more rigorously," he says.

The Guardian

For propinquity may be enforced, but affection cannot.

The Guardian - Sport

He said he suspected that while the rules were the same, they may be enforced differently.

The New York Times

Copyrights may be enforced by lawyers -- but more and more, it's artists who are the real phantom menace.

The New York Times - Books

But in the past, Mr Yeltsin has often distanced himself from necessarily unpopular measures, thereby lessening the chances that they may be enforced.

The Economist

In a new twist, her teachers have said she has been handed a plane ticket by the Home Office and told to leave the UK alone, or "removal may be enforced".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

So as valid as this trademark may be, enforcing it on other parties can often be tricky.

Vice

- Compulsory and/or "free" education laws may not exist, or may not be enforced.

Unicef

Boiled down, the 1931 law says that a personal services contract may not be enforced beyond seven years.

The New York Times

Many countries have outdated laws which may never be enforced - because lawmakers are often unaware they exist.

Independent

"It may not be enforced as easily or as well as other laws, but it's just kind of a no-brainer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing legal or policy documents, use "may be enforced" to indicate a potential action, not a guaranteed one. This allows for flexibility in application.

Common error

Avoid using "may be enforced" when you intend to convey certainty. "Will be enforced" indicates a definite action, while "may be enforced" suggests a possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be enforced" functions as a passive construction, indicating the potential application of a rule, law, or agreement. It expresses a possibility rather than a certainty, aligning with Ludwig's indication that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be enforced" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a potential or conditional action. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and is found across a spectrum of authoritative sources, from news media to scientific publications. The phrase is primarily used in neutral to formal contexts, serving to inform about possible consequences or actions related to rules, laws, and agreements. While similar phrases like "can be enforced" and "will be enforced" exist, it's important to understand the subtle differences in meaning to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be enforced

Changes "may" to "can", suggesting a stronger possibility or ability.

might be enforced

Substitutes "may" with "might", indicating a slightly weaker possibility.

could be enforced

Replaces "may" with "could", suggesting a conditional possibility.

is liable to be enforced

Uses a more formal structure to convey the likelihood of enforcement.

is subject to enforcement

Emphasizes that something falls under the purview of enforcement.

is potentially enforced

Highlights the potential for enforcement.

has the possibility of being enforced

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the possibility.

is eligible for enforcement

Indicates that something meets the criteria for enforcement.

it is possible to enforce

Shifts the focus to the act of enforcing rather than the state of being enforced.

enforcement is a possibility

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize enforcement as a potential outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "may be enforced" to indicate that a rule, law, or agreement has the potential to be applied or upheld. For example, "The new regulations "may be enforced" starting next month".

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

You can use alternatives like "can be enforced", "might be enforced", or "is subject to enforcement" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may be enforced" or "will be enforced"?

"May be enforced" suggests a possibility, while "will be enforced" indicates a certainty. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "may be enforced" and "can be enforced"?

"May be enforced" implies permission or possibility, whereas "can be enforced" suggests ability or capacity. While similar, "can be enforced" often indicates a stronger likelihood or inherent right to enforce.