may be linked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be linked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential connections or relationships between two or more subjects or concepts. Example: "The symptoms you are experiencing may be linked to your recent dietary changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Depression may be linked to heart disease, researchers say.

The New York Times - Health

The lights may be linked to create inexpensive data networks.

The New York Times - Tech

The recent reports may be linked to the holiday season.

The Washington Post

Thus poverty may be linked to the process of Industrialization.

Princeton University

The regions may be linked to other systemic diseases.

Stanford University

This information may be linked to targeting/advertising activities.

Cornell University

Satiety effects also may be linked to colonic fermentation.

Appetite

All may be linked back to the French Gestapo.

The Economist

The worry is that the two may be linked.

The Economist

There is speculation that the two may be linked.

Independent

Detectives said they believe the incidents may be linked.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be linked" to express a possible connection or association between two or more things, acknowledging that the connection is not definitively proven. Be sure to provide context or evidence to support the potential link.

Common error

Avoid using "may be linked" when there is strong evidence to prove a direct connection. In such cases, use phrases that indicate a definite relationship, such as "is" or "are linked".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be linked" functions as a qualifying connector, indicating a potential but not definite relationship between two or more elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate when evidence suggests a possible connection, but conclusive proof is lacking. The examples confirm wide usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be linked" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate a potential connection between two or more elements. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While it is essential to avoid overstating the connection when using this phrase, it serves as a valuable tool for expressing hypotheses and prompting further investigation. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its reliability and widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be associated

Indicates a possible connection, slightly less direct than "may be linked".

might be connected

Suggests a possible relationship, with a slightly more tentative tone.

could be related

Implies a possible relationship or connection, similar in strength to "may be linked".

possibly correlated

Suggests a statistical relationship, more formal and specific than "may be linked".

potentially associated

Highlights the possibility of a connection, slightly more emphatic than "may be linked".

conceivably connected

Indicates a possibility of a link, often used when the connection is not immediately obvious.

hypothetically related

Suggests a relationship based on a hypothesis, emphasizing the speculative nature.

there is a possibility of a link

Expresses the potential connection in a more verbose and descriptive manner.

the two are possibly related

Specifically points out a relationship between two particular items or topics.

a connection is plausible

Emphasizes the reasonableness or believability of a connection.

FAQs

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

Use "may be linked" to suggest a possible connection between two things. For example, "These symptoms "may be linked" to a vitamin deficiency."

What are some alternatives to "may be linked"?

Alternatives include "could be associated", "might be connected", or "could be related", depending on the context and level of certainty you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "may be linked" in formal writing?

Yes, "may be linked" is suitable for formal writing when you want to suggest a possible connection without making a definitive statement. It's commonly found in academic papers, news reports, and business documents.

What's the difference between "may be linked" and "is linked"?

"May be linked" suggests a possible connection that hasn't been definitively proven. "Is linked" indicates a proven or well-established connection. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the strength of the evidence.