may be labeled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be labeled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of something being identified or categorized with a specific label or name. Example: "The items in the inventory may be labeled according to their categories for easier identification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thicknesses range from hair-thin to fettuccine-like; even these, however, may be labeled vermicelli.

The New York Times - Food

Bottle-fermented wines may be labeled "bottle-fermented," but only wines handled by the classic method may be labeled "fermented in this bottle".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Daniel Murphy, despite growing up in Florida, may be labeled a Long Islander instead of a left-fielder.

The New York Times - Sports

Women who assertively pursue their own ambitions and promote their own interests may be labeled as bitchy or pushy.

Harvard Business Review

These breaks may be labeled differently, but they serve the same function as government spending.

The New York Times

Because of the emphasis on performance, the hedge fund industry may be labeled a "survival of the fittest" industry.

Columbia University

WhatsApp may be labeled as the next Myspace or Bebo: bought for big bucks then withering as its users drain away.

The Guardian - Tech

Chickens may be labeled free-range even if they've never been outside or seen a speck of daylight in their entire lives.

The New York Times

When women's mistakes are judged so much more harshly than men's, is it any wonder that female managers may be labeled "micromanagers" or "perfectionists" or "risk-averse"?

Harvard Business Review

Are you aware that these measures are considered inaccurate and unstable, that a teacher may be labeled effective one year, then ineffective the next one?

The Washington Post

By French law, only cheese that is processed at Roquefort, France, may be labeled "Roquefort cheese"; other French blue-veined cheeses are called "bleu" cheese.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "may be labeled" with stronger verbs like "is" or "are" when the labeling is a definitive, established fact.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "may be labeled". Active voice often makes sentences more direct and easier to understand. For instance, instead of "The product may be labeled organic by the manufacturer", try "The manufacturer might label the product organic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be labeled" functions as a passive construction, indicating a possibility or potential for something to receive a particular label or designation. This highlights the object being labeled rather than the agent performing the labeling. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be labeled" is a versatile construction used to indicate the possibility of something being identified or categorized with a specific label. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. It serves to describe potential classifications, often contingent upon certain conditions. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider whether an active voice construction would offer greater clarity and directness in writing. In essence, "may be labeled" is a useful tool for expressing potential categorizations in a variety of settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be designated

Indicates a possibility of being officially assigned a specific designation.

might be termed

Suggests a possibility of being referred to by a particular term.

can be classified

Implies the possibility of being sorted into a specific category.

might be identified as

Focuses on the potential for something to be recognized under a certain identity.

could be considered

Highlights the possibility of something being regarded in a specific way.

can be referred to as

Emphasizes the potential for something to be called by a certain name.

might be known as

Indicates the possibility of something being recognized by a particular name.

could be tagged

Implies the chance of something being marked with a specific tag.

might be categorized

Suggests the potential for something to be grouped into a specific category.

can be branded

Focuses on the possibility of something being marked with a certain brand.

FAQs

What does "may be labeled" mean?

The phrase "may be labeled" means that something has the potential or possibility to be identified or categorized under a specific label. It suggests a degree of uncertainty or conditionality regarding the application of the label.

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

You can use "may be labeled" to describe something that could be classified in a certain way. For example: "Products "may be labeled" 'organic' if they meet specific criteria".

What are some alternatives to "may be labeled"?

Alternatives include "could be designated", "might be termed", or "can be classified", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with labeling?

While "may be labeled" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using active voice can often improve clarity. For example, instead of "The items may be labeled by the staff", using "The staff might label the items" makes the sentence more direct.