may be held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be held" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is possible or permitted to occur, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "The meeting may be held at a later date if necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The election may be held in December.

The Economist

"He may be held back.

The New York Times

An architectural competition may be held.

The New York Times

Now They May Be Held to Account.

The New York Times

Now they may be held to account.

The New York Times

Presentations may be held during a future class period.

The New York Times

What candles may be held to speed them all?

The New Yorker

The rest may be held in government agency bonds.

The New York Times

New elections may be held in three months' time.

The Guardian

But excludable aliens may be held indefinitely pending review.

The New York Times

The boy may be held out again him.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be held" to express possibility or permission in formal contexts. For example, "The meeting may be held next week."

Common error

Avoid using "may be held" in casual conversation; opt for more natural phrases like "might happen" or "could be arranged" for a better fit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be held" functions as a modal passive construction. It combines the modal verb "may" indicating possibility or permission, with the passive voice construction "be held", signifying that something (an event, object, person) is subjected to being held. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be held" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey possibility or permission, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. While its usage is broad, it is important to consider the specific context to ensure appropriateness, avoiding overuse in informal settings. Related phrases, such as "could be conducted" or "might be maintained", offer alternative ways to express similar meanings. Therefore, while writing, ensure it aligns with the intended tone and formality of your content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be conducted

Replaces "may" with "could", suggesting a slightly weaker possibility but retains the sense of something being organized or carried out.

might be maintained

Substitutes "may" with "might", indicating a lower probability and replaces "held" with "maintained" suggesting keeping something in good condition.

could be retained

Changes "may" to "could", indicating possibility, and "held" to "retained", focusing on keeping something.

can be organised

Employs "can" instead of "may", implying permission or ability and uses "organised" instead of "held", focusing on the act of organization.

are able to be conducted

Replaces "may" with "are able", showing capability, and "held" with "conducted" focusing on carrying out an event.

is liable to be kept

Replaces "may" with "is liable", indicating probability and replaces "held" with "kept", focusing on keeping something secure.

is permitted to be organized

Replaces "may" with "is permitted", emphasizing permission, and "held" with "organized" focusing on the structured arrangement of something.

is subject to being conducted

Employs "is subject", indicating conditional possibility and changes "held" to "conducted" highlighting the act of carrying out.

is susceptible to being retained

Changes "may" to "is susceptible", indicating vulnerability and replaces "held" with "retained" highlighting the act of keeping something

is authorized to be maintained

Substitutes "may" with "is authorized", implying permission and changes "held" to "maintained" focusing on upholding something

FAQs

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

"May be held" indicates a possibility or permission. For instance, "The concert "may be held" outdoors if the weather is favorable" or "Suspects "may be held" for questioning".

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

Alternatives include "could be conducted", "might be maintained", or "can be organised" depending on the intended meaning and context.

Is it correct to use "may be held" in a formal setting?

Yes, "may be held" is appropriate for formal settings to express possibility or permission. For example, "A hearing "may be held" to review the evidence".

What's the difference between "may be held" and "will be held"?

"May be held" indicates a possibility, whereas "will be held" indicates a definite plan. "The event "may be held"" suggests it's not certain, while "The event will be held" confirms it.