may be formed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be formed" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express the possibility or potential for something to be created or come into existence. Example: "A new committee may be formed to address the issue at hand." In this sentence, the phrase "may be formed" suggests that the creation of a new committee is a possibility, but it has not yet been confirmed or decided upon.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Additionally, substances may be formed during the production process.

Nature

Chitosan hydrogels may be formed by various mechanisms.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

Hydrocarbons also may be formed at high temperatures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As such, customers' preferences may be formed well in advance of any specific plan to purchase.

Harvard Business Review

New verbs may be formed by adding affixes, which may occur in combination with each other.

Britannica

Clay minerals may be formed by various processes during and after the accumulation of loess.

Britannica

New species may be formed through hybridization and without an increase in ploidy.

Nature

In kidney vascular diseases numerous small cysts may be formed by the dilatation of blood vessels.

Britannica

These subsystems may be formed in a linear, planar or spatial array.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

Results showed that EH PEG hydrogel may be formed using the co-solvent system.

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics

On this basis, it was postulated that GB may be formed by an historic impact.

Planetary and Space Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be formed" to indicate a possibility or potential for something to be created, without implying certainty. It is suitable for contexts where the outcome is not yet determined or is dependent on certain conditions.

Common error

Avoid overusing "may be formed" and other passive constructions, as it can make your writing sound vague or indirect. When possible, use active voice to clearly indicate who or what is performing the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be formed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating the possibility of something being created or coming into existence. According to Ludwig, it expresses a potential occurrence rather than a definite action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

Encyclopedias

12%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be formed" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase widely used to express the potential or possibility of something being created. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across diverse fields such as science, encyclopedias, and news. When using this phrase, consider the level of certainty you want to convey and choose active voice when possible for more direct communication. Remember to consider related phrases like "can be created" and "might be produced" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be created

Focuses on the possibility of creation but uses "can" instead of "may".

could be generated

Suggests potential generation, implying a process or mechanism.

might be produced

Emphasizes the potential for production, often in a manufacturing or biological context.

could arise

Implies the potential for something to emerge or come into existence.

might develop

Suggests the possibility of growth or evolution into a certain state.

can emerge

Focuses on the possibility of something appearing or becoming known.

could be established

Suggests the potential for something to be set up or founded.

might take shape

Implies the potential for something to materialize or become defined.

can come into existence

A more verbose way of expressing the possibility of something being created.

is potentially created

Highlights the potential for creation with a slightly different emphasis.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "may be formed" to sound more definitive?

To sound more definitive, you can use phrases like "will be formed", "is created", or "is generated", depending on the context. These alternatives imply a higher degree of certainty than "may be formed".

What is the difference between "may be formed" and "can be formed"?

"May be formed" suggests a possibility or likelihood, whereas "can be formed" implies an ability or capacity. Use "may" when discussing potential outcomes and "can" when describing inherent capabilities.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "may be formed"?

While "may be formed" is in the passive voice, consider rewriting the sentence in the active voice if clarity and directness are important. For example, instead of "a solution may be formed by mixing these chemicals", you could say "mixing these chemicals may form a solution".

What are some situations where "may be formed" is the most appropriate choice?

"May be formed" is appropriate when discussing hypotheses, potential outcomes, or situations where the creation of something is uncertain. It's also useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant, like in scientific explanations where specific conditions "may lead to" a certain result.