may be increased

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be increased" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express possibility or potentiality, for example, "The minimum wage may be increased next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The amount may be increased to $721 million.

The New York Times

Wine quality and food safety may be increased.

Food Control

A police spokesman said the security presence may be increased.

Independent

The purchase price may be increased if inChord meets certain financial targets after the acquisition.

The New York Times

His determination to keep going may be increased by the pain of being dropped.

The Guardian - Sport

Writer speculates that political apathy by voters may be increased as a result of the debate.

The New Yorker

Tsunoda has said that the field may be increased before release, but not by much.

The Guardian - Tech

Senile atrophy may be increased and complicated by the presence of arteriosclerosis.

Britannica

The amplitude of the nonperistaltic contractions may be increased or normal or even decreased.

Nature

TO AID FRENCH WOUNDED.; War Pensions May Be Increased Through 1,500,000,000 Franc Loan.

The New York Times

In a whirling centrifuge, the pressure exerted by the statoliths may be increased.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be increased", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being increased and under what conditions or circumstances this increase is likely to occur. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "may be increased" without specifying what the subject is. For example, instead of saying "Efficiency may be increased", specify "The efficiency of the engine may be increased by using a new fuel mixture".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be increased" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a potential action. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in diverse scenarios, from security measures to financial aid, showcasing its versatility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

31%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be increased" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express the possibility of something being augmented. As confirmed by Ludwig, its frequent use across diverse fields like science, news, and academia underscores its broad applicability. To ensure clarity, always specify what is being increased and under what conditions. While alternatives like "could be augmented" or "might be amplified" exist, "may be increased" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility, making it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be augmented

Replaces "may" with "could", suggesting a similar level of possibility, and "increased" with "augmented", indicating enhancement.

might be amplified

Substitutes "may" with "might", keeping the possibility aspect, and replaces "increased" with "amplified", suggesting a more significant boost.

can be elevated

Uses "can" to show potential and "elevated" instead of "increased" to imply a rise in status or level.

could be intensified

Similar to "may be increased" but uses "intensified" to suggest a strengthening or deepening effect.

is potentially enhanced

Replaces "may be" with "is potentially" and "increased" with "enhanced", highlighting the possibility of improvement.

is liable to grow

Emphasizes the likelihood of growth rather than a simple increase.

is subject to expansion

Focuses on the condition of being able to expand, indicating a capacity for growth.

can potentially escalate

Uses "escalate" to imply a rapid or dramatic increase.

is capable of being boosted

Highlights the capability for an increase or enhancement.

is apt to be magnified

Suggests that something is likely to be magnified, implying a considerable increase.

FAQs

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

Use "may be increased" to indicate a possibility or potential for growth or augmentation. For instance, "The budget for the project "may be increased" if additional funding becomes available".

What are some alternatives to "may be increased"?

Alternatives include "could be augmented", "might be amplified", or "can be elevated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "may be increased" instead of "will be increased"?

"May be increased" suggests a possibility or contingency, while "will be increased" indicates a higher degree of certainty. Use "may" when the increase depends on certain conditions or future events, and "will" when the increase is definite.

Is "may be increased" the same as "can be increased"?

While similar, "may be increased" implies a possibility that depends on external factors, whereas "can be increased" suggests an inherent potential or capability. The subtle difference lies in whether the increase is conditional ("may") or inherently possible ("can").