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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
may be of useful
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "may be of useful" is not correct in English.
The correct form would be "may be useful." You can use it when suggesting that something could provide benefit or assistance in a particular context. Example: "This information may be useful for your research project."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(20)
may be useful
could be pertinent
may prove useful
may be of nature
may be relevant
may be of benefit
could hold significance
may be of copper
might be relevant
may be of course
may be of relevance
may be of help
may be of concern
could prove useful
could be relevant
might be helpful
might be useful
may be advantageous
could be beneficial
might be worth exploring
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
It was decided that a cost analysis of delivery services may be of useful information.
Science
If you would like to set up a LinkedIn page but don't know how, there are many articles online that may be of useful.
News & Media
The common ethnic lineage, the social backgrounds and behavioral profile of STI patients in Hong Kong may be of useful reference in analyzing STI epidemiology in Greater China.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
For an embattled President Bush, combating the mullahs of Tehran may be a useful means of diverting attention from Iraq and reestablishing control of the Republican party prior to next year's congressional elections.
News & Media
Blood endocan concentrations early in the evolution of ARDS may be a useful marker of disease severity.
Science
In this setting, presence of xanthelasmata may be a useful predictor of underlying atherosclerotic disease.
Science
These lessons may be useful to all of us, not just abandoned MPs.
News & Media
Furthermore, HMGB1 may be a useful index of the inhibition of early stage inflammation.
Science
Concordance may be a useful means of assessing integration of sexual information among women, and may prove to be a useful correlate of sexual functioning.
Science
Dynamic assessment of preoperative exercise capacity may be a useful predictor of postoperative prognosis.
Science
Therefore, semiquantification of apoptosis may be a useful predictive marker of recurrence after this therapy.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use the shorter and grammatically correct form "may be useful" for clarity and conciseness. This avoids any potential confusion or perception of error.
Common error
Avoid using "may be of useful" as it is redundant. The "of" is unnecessary and makes the phrase grammatically incorrect. Stick to the simpler and correct "may be useful".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "may be of useful" functions as a predicative adjective aiming to describe a noun. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically incorrect. Examples show its rare occurrence mostly in scientific contexts.
Frequent in
Science
66%
News & Media
33%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "may be of useful" appears in some contexts, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI marks it as such, recommending the more concise and correct "may be useful" instead. Its intended purpose is to suggest a potential benefit, but its infrequent and questionable usage makes it a less desirable choice. Opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "might be helpful" or "could be beneficial" to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing. Most examples were found in Science and News & Media.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
may be useful
Removes the unnecessary "of", resulting in a grammatically correct and more concise phrase.
might be useful
Substitutes "may" with "might", offering a slightly weaker degree of possibility or suggestion.
could be useful
Replaces "may" with "could", indicating a potential but not definite usefulness.
can be useful
Uses "can" instead of "may", suggesting a general possibility or ability to be useful.
may prove useful
Adds "prove" to emphasize that the usefulness is yet to be demonstrated or realized.
may turn out to be useful
Indicates a potential for usefulness that might only become apparent in the future.
may be of value
Replaces "useful" with "of value", shifting the focus to the worth or importance of something.
may be advantageous
Uses "advantageous" instead of "useful", suggesting that something could provide a benefit or edge.
may serve a purpose
Indicates that something might fulfill a specific function or aim.
may have utility
Replaces "useful" with "have utility", which is a more formal and technical way of expressing usefulness.
FAQs
Is "may be of useful" grammatically correct?
No, the correct form is "may be useful". The inclusion of "of" is unnecessary and results in a grammatically incorrect phrase.
What does "may be useful" mean?
The phrase "may be useful" suggests that something has the potential to provide benefit or assistance, but it is not a certainty.
Are there alternatives to "may be useful"?
Yes, alternatives include phrases like "might be helpful", "could be beneficial", or "can be useful", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.
When should I use "may be useful"?
Use "may be useful" when you want to suggest that something has the potential to be helpful or beneficial, but you are not making a definitive claim about its usefulness.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested