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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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may be of useful

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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.

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

Huffington Post

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.

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

The Guardian

Blood endocan concentrations early in the evolution of ARDS may be a useful marker of disease severity.

In this setting, presence of xanthelasmata may be a useful predictor of underlying atherosclerotic disease.

These lessons may be useful to all of us, not just abandoned MPs.

Furthermore, HMGB1 may be a useful index of the inhibition of early stage inflammation.

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.

Dynamic assessment of preoperative exercise capacity may be a useful predictor of postoperative prognosis.

Therefore, semiquantification of apoptosis may be a useful predictive marker of recurrence after this therapy.

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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".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Rare

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.

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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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: