may be less

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be less" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a possibility or likelihood of something being reduced or diminished in comparison to something else. Example: "The new policy may be less effective than the previous one in achieving our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You may be less willing.

The New York Times - Books

Mr Baalu may be less lucky.

The Economist

This year's protest may be less impressive.

The Economist

Even the traffic may be less clogged.

The Economist

The public markets may be less patient.

The New York Times

The truth may be less comforting.

The New York Times

But investors may be less impressed.

The New York Times

They may be less lucky next time.

The Economist

That may be less than candid.

The Economist

Other rivals may be less fortunate.

The New York Times

There may be less din over all.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be less", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compared. For example, "The new model may be less expensive, but it also has fewer features."

Common error

Avoid using "may be less" when a higher degree of certainty is intended. Use "is likely less" or "is certainly less" if the reduction or diminishment is more definite.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be less" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a degree of uncertainty or possibility regarding a decrease or reduction in something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. It suggests a tentative assessment rather than a definitive statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be less" is a versatile phrase used to express uncertainty about a decrease or reduction. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. It is frequently found in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science" contexts. While grammatically straightforward, it's important to use "may be less" when indicating possibility rather than certainty. Alternatives like "might be smaller" or "could be lower" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be smaller

Replaces "may" with "might" and "less" with "smaller", focusing on size or quantity.

could be lower

Substitutes "may" with "could" and "less" with "lower", implying a potential decrease in value or position.

could be reduced

Replaces "may" with "could" and uses the passive voice, focusing on the action of reduction.

might prove insufficient

Replaces "may be less" with a phrase suggesting inadequacy or a lack of something.

might turn out deficient

Similar to 'might prove insufficient' but uses 'deficient' to emphasize a lack of quality or completeness.

could become scarcer

Focuses on the idea of something becoming less available or more limited.

risk being inadequate

Implies a potential negative outcome due to something not being enough.

runs the risk of diminishing

Emphasizes the potential for something to decrease or become less significant.

potentially decline

Uses a single verb phrase to express the possibility of a decrease or reduction.

possibly diminish

Indicates a potential reduction but is slightly more formal than "may be less".

FAQs

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

You can use "may be less" to express a possibility or likelihood of something being reduced or diminished. For example, "The impact of the new policy "may be less" than initially anticipated."

What's a more formal alternative to "may be less"?

A more formal alternative to "may be less" could be "could prove insufficient" or "might become scarcer", depending on the specific context.

Is "may be less" the same as "is less"?

No, "may be less" indicates a possibility or uncertainty, while "is less" states a fact. For example, "The effort "may be less" effective" suggests uncertainty, while "The effort is less effective" asserts a confirmed state.

What are some common synonyms for "may be less"?

Common synonyms include "might be smaller", "could be lower", or "might turn out deficient", each carrying a slightly different nuance.