may be however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be however" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a combination of two separate phrases, "may be" and "however," which should not be used together in this way. Example: "The results may be inconclusive; however, further research is needed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That may be however about to change.

The Guardian

It may be, however, that the strongest emotion we felt was relief.

The New Yorker

Follow your dreams, however hard it may be, however uncertain success might seem.

The Guardian - Opinion

It may be, however, that Zadie Smith wasn't meant to behave.

The New York Times - Books

Whichever Dem that may be, however, he or she is hardly kicking down Mayor Mike's door.

The New York Times

Spruce though the new name may be, however, is it true?

The New Yorker

Elegantly neo-classic though it may be, however, the place, as well as the formal service, is far from stuffy.

The New York Times

Unpleasant as that may be, however, I regret to inform you that the selfie has sunk to new lows.

The Guardian - Opinion

It may be, however, that the bigger reason is that geography is a subject for our times.

The Guardian - Opinion

Exciting as it may be, however, the entrepreneurial life is far from easy.

The New York Times

It may be, however, for one of the weekend's surprise packages, Blazing Bailey.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "may be however" in formal writing. Instead, separate "may be" and "however" into two distinct clauses or use alternatives like "nevertheless" or "nonetheless".

Common error

Do not combine "may be" and "however" directly. This creates an awkward and grammatically incorrect construction. Always ensure "however" introduces a separate, contrasting thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be however" functions as an attempted concessive conjunction, aiming to introduce a contrast or qualification. However, according to Ludwig AI, this combination is grammatically incorrect. Standard usage requires separating "may be" and "however" into distinct clauses or using alternative conjunctions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be however" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. While Ludwig shows numerous examples of its usage across various contexts, including News & Media and Science, it's crucial to recognize that it violates grammatical norms. Instead, separate "may be" and "however" into distinct clauses, or use alternatives such as "nevertheless" or "nonetheless". By avoiding this construction, you'll ensure your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically sound. Keep in mind that Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as not following standard grammar rules, emphasizing the importance of using correct alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be, nevertheless

Replaces "however" with a more formal synonym, maintaining a similar level of contrast.

may be, nonetheless

Similar to 'nevertheless', but with a slightly different emphasis on the degree of contrast.

may be, yet

Uses a simpler conjunction to indicate contrast.

might be, even so

Employs 'might' for a softer possibility and 'even so' to introduce the contrasting element.

could be, but

A more straightforward and informal way to express a contrast.

may be, in spite of that

Replaces 'however' with a prepositional phrase indicating concession.

may be, despite that

Similar to "in spite of that", emphasizing the contrast.

may be, on the other hand

Introduces a contrasting viewpoint or aspect.

may be, conversely

Highlights the opposite nature of the contrasting element.

may be, on the contrary

Strongly emphasizes the opposition to what was previously stated.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "may be" and "however" in a sentence?

Separate "may be" and "however" into two clauses. For example, "The results may be inconclusive; "however", further research is needed."

Are there more formal alternatives to using "however" with "may be"?

Yes, you can use more formal alternatives such as "nevertheless", "nonetheless", or "notwithstanding" to express a contrast.

What are some simpler ways to express a contrasting idea instead of using "may be however"?

Simpler alternatives include using "but", "yet", or rephrasing the sentence to clearly separate the contrasting ideas.

Is "may be however" considered grammatically correct in English?

No, "may be however" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It is better to use grammatically sound alternatives.