may be even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be even" is correct and can be used in written English to express that something is possible or likely.
For example, "The temperature tonight may be even colder than last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tuesday may be even hotter.

The New York Times

It may be even worse.

The Economist

"It may be even better".

The New York Times

"It may be even higher," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

His encore performance may be even better.

The New York Times

His successors may be even less accommodating.

The Economist

There may be even legal requirements.

Independent

It may be even worse than that".

The Guardian

Elsewhere, the situation may be even worse.

Independent

Services may be even more vulnerable.

The Economist

The actual discrepancy may be even greater.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "may be even" is generally suitable for most contexts, alternatives like "it is even possible that" can add a more formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "may be even" when you want to express a high degree of certainty. If you are confident in your assessment, consider using phrases like "it is likely" or "it is almost certain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be even" functions as a modal adjunct, modifying a statement to express possibility or likelihood. It often indicates an increase or intensification of a quality or state. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be even" is a versatile tool for expressing possibility with an element of comparison or escalation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific writing, and academic discourse. While subtle, understanding when to use "may be even" versus alternatives such as "might even be", "could even be" or "it is even possible that" can enhance the precision and impact of your writing. When using the phrase, be sure that the context lends itself to expressing uncertainty, and avoid using it when certainty is required. The key to effective use lies in appreciating its nuanced expression of possibility and comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might even be

Uses "might" instead of "may", suggesting a slightly lower degree of certainty.

could even be

Employs "could", indicating a potential possibility.

it is even possible that

Adds "it is possible that" for emphasis on the possibility.

it's even likely that

Replaces "may be" with "is likely", suggesting a higher probability.

it's conceivable that

Utilizes "conceivable" to emphasize the possibility.

perhaps even

Uses "perhaps" instead of "may be", offering a slightly more informal tone.

possibly even

Replaces "may be" with "possibly", keeping the sense of potential.

it is not out of the question that

Expresses possibility by stating that something isn't impossible.

there's a good chance it's

Uses a more informal tone to convey a strong likelihood.

it's within the realm of possibility that

Emphasizes that something is within the range of possible outcomes.

FAQs

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

Use "may be even" to suggest a possibility or likelihood, often implying an increase or intensification compared to a previous point. For example, "The traffic was bad yesterday; today it "may be even" worse."

What are some alternatives to "may be even"?

Alternatives include "might even be", "could even be", or "it is even possible that". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "may be even" and "might be even"?

"May" and "might" both express possibility, but "might" often suggests a slightly lower probability. Therefore, "might be even" implies a slightly smaller chance compared to ""may be even"".

When is it inappropriate to use "may be even"?

Avoid using ""may be even"" when expressing a definite fact or certainty. In such cases, stronger statements are more suitable.