may be expanded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be expanded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of increasing or enlarging something, such as a project, idea, or concept. Example: "The current project scope may be expanded to include additional features based on client feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Export credit guarantees may be expanded.

Independent

Each class may be expanded to list all its instances.

Columbia University

The program may be expanded into the public school system, Mr. Weaver said.

The New York Times

And it may be expanded to other parts of the house, which is mostly gutted.

The Washington Post

Since they are adherent to plastic, they may be expanded in vitro.

Methods

The dual-mechanism strategy may be expanded to design other fluorescent probes.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

This may be expanded to the rest of Western and Northern Africa.

Columbia University

The list may be expanded to reflect a student's particular interests, but not abridged.

Stanford University

With Glaxo's contribution, the original 3 clinics may be expanded to 60.

The New York Times - Health

Moreover, the entire digits, rather than just their tips, may be expanded.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If deemed a success, it may be expanded to other parts of the 2,000-mile 2,000-milerder.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be expanded", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being considered for expansion. Specify the conditions or factors that would lead to the expansion for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "may be expanded" without a clear reference to what "it" refers to. Ensure the subject that might be expanded is explicitly stated or easily understood from the surrounding text to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be expanded" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating a potential or conditional action. It describes something that has the possibility of being enlarged or increased in scope, scale, or size. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be expanded" is a versatile expression used to convey the possibility of future growth or enlargement. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across diverse fields, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide a clear antecedent and specify the conditions that might lead to the expansion. Alternatives such as "could be enlarged" or "might be extended" can subtly alter the degree of certainty or formality, offering writers flexibility in their expression. Understanding these nuances helps ensure precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be enlarged

Replaces "may" with "could", indicating a possibility but not necessarily a probability, and uses "enlarged" instead of "expanded".

might be extended

Substitutes "may" with "might", suggesting a weaker possibility, and replaces "expanded" with "extended", implying a broadening in scope or duration.

can be increased

Uses "can" to indicate a capability or permission to increase, differing from the possibility suggested by "may be expanded".

is subject to enlargement

Emphasizes the potential for enlargement as a condition or characteristic, shifting from a simple possibility to a contingency.

is liable to grow

Indicates a tendency or probability of growth, which is a slightly different nuance than the potential expansion suggested by the original phrase.

has the potential to broaden

Focuses on the inherent potential for broadening, rather than a direct statement of possible expansion.

is open to extension

Highlights the accessibility and permissibility of extending something, differing from a mere possibility.

can potentially be augmented

Adds "potentially" to emphasize possibility and uses "augmented" to suggest an enhancement through expansion.

is capable of amplification

Focuses on the capacity for amplification, which implies a more significant or forceful expansion.

is susceptible to increment

Suggests vulnerability or readiness to be incremented, adding a sense of passivity not present in the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "may be expanded" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "is subject to enlargement" or "has the potential to broaden", which convey a similar meaning with a more elevated vocabulary.

Is there a difference between "may be expanded" and "will be expanded"?

"May be expanded" indicates a possibility or a conditional action, whereas "will be expanded" implies a definite plan or a higher degree of certainty. The choice depends on whether the expansion is confirmed or just a potential outcome.

What are some alternatives to "may be expanded" that suggest a weaker possibility?

To express a weaker possibility, you could use phrases like "might be extended" or "could be enlarged". These options suggest a lower likelihood of the expansion occurring.

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

You can use "may be expanded" to indicate a future possibility such as: "The project scope "may be expanded" if additional funding becomes available."