may be erroneous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be erroneous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something has the potential to be incorrect or mistaken. Example: "The data provided in the report may be erroneous, so we should verify the sources before making any conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, that assumption may be erroneous.

The Washington Post

Quantifying wear on the basis of weight at micro levels may be erroneous.

Measurement

As a consequence, conclusions regarding efficacy and safety from these studies may be erroneous.

Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

This suggests a warning to trace analysts: very reproducible results at very small test portion sizes may be erroneous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The genome sequencers found all but five (and some or all of these five may be erroneous), and another 10,823 genes besides.

The New York Times - Science

The idiom of American reality television and that of the Oxford Union are hardly identical, and Clinton may be erroneous in conflating them.

The New Yorker

Salaries of superintendence, figuring as expenses, may have been swollen inordinately; appraisals of plant, of merchandise, of patents, of what not, may be erroneous or even fraudulent.

Cornell University

Car-rental companies have resisted listing a total price at the start -- in part because it forces the system to make assumptions about the rental that may be erroneous, but largely for competitive reasons.

The New York Times

In particular, it is shown that for multiple coupled oscillators, SEA energy flow predictions based upon blocked energy may be erroneous, while predictions based upon thermodynamic energy are correct.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Petitioner's real concern is that the judgment of the California court, if it should decide that decedent was domiciled there, may be erroneous or may conflict with that of the Massachusetts courts.

Cornell University

However, the DNA microarray data set usually contain multiple missing value and therefore, selection of important genes using the incomplete data set may be erroneous, resulting misclassification in disease prediction.

Applied Soft Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be erroneous", ensure that you provide context or justification for why the information might be incorrect. This adds credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "may be erroneous" when there is definitive evidence of an error. In such cases, use stronger language that reflects certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be erroneous" functions as a modal adjective phrase, indicating a possibility or potential for something to be incorrect or mistaken. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

18%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be erroneous" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses the possibility of something being incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence across diverse domains like science, news, and academia. While versatile, it's crucial to employ it judiciously, ensuring context and refraining from its use when definitive errors are evident. Alternatives such as "could be incorrect" or "might be inaccurate" offer nuanced ways to convey potential inaccuracies. As underscored by the usage patterns, this expression finds its strongest foothold in formal and scientific discourse, reflecting a commitment to accuracy and cautious interpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be incorrect

Emphasizes possibility and uncertainty regarding the correctness.

might be inaccurate

Highlights the potential for a lack of precision or correctness.

could be flawed

Focuses on potential defects or imperfections leading to errors.

might be mistaken

Emphasizes the possibility of a misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

could be invalid

Suggests the potential lack of legal or factual basis.

may be imprecise

Highlights a lack of exactness or accuracy.

might not be accurate

Directly negates accuracy, suggesting potential deviations from the truth.

could prove false

Suggests a future revelation of incorrectness.

may turn out wrong

Indicates a potential future state of being incorrect.

might not hold true

Implies the potential failure of a statement or belief to align with reality.

FAQs

How to use "may be erroneous" in a sentence?

Use "may be erroneous" to express the possibility that something is incorrect or mistaken. For example: "The initial findings "may be erroneous", requiring further investigation."

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

You can use alternatives like "could be incorrect", "might be inaccurate", or "could be flawed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may be erroneous" or "may be in error"?

Both ""may be erroneous"" and "may be in error" are grammatically correct, but ""may be erroneous"" is more commonly used to describe information or data, while "may be in error" often refers to a person's state.

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

"May be erroneous" indicates a possibility or uncertainty about something being incorrect, whereas "is erroneous" states definitively that something is incorrect.