may be prescribed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be prescribed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is allowed or recommended to be given, often in medical or legal settings. Example: "Certain medications may be prescribed to manage chronic pain effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Antihistamines may be prescribed to reduce swelling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An updated converter may be prescribed to stop the stink.

The New York Times

Particle size, shape, and deformability may be prescribed.

Journal of Computational Physics

Nonetheless, Wall Street's own medicine may be prescribed for itself.

The New York Times

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) also may be prescribed to slow the course of the disease.

Britannica

Treatment is directed toward the cause of the neuritis; analgesics may be prescribed for pain relief.

Britannica

Topical medications to reduce redness and oral antibiotics may be prescribed for more severe cases.

The New York Times - Health

No rule may be prescribed by a district court other than under this section.

Cornell University

I think that anti-biotics may be prescribed if a secondary infection sets in?

University of California, Berkeley

The applicant shall comply with such rules or regulations as may be prescribed by the Director.

Cornell University

One of these portions may be prescribed whereas the other is determined from the solution.

Procedia Manufacturing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be prescribed" when indicating a potential treatment or course of action that is not guaranteed, but is a possibility depending on the circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "may be prescribed" when a treatment is definitely required or standard practice. Instead, opt for phrases that indicate certainty, such as "is prescribed" or "should be prescribed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be prescribed" functions as a passive construction indicating a potential action or treatment. It suggests that something is possible or permissible, but not necessarily guaranteed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

29%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be prescribed" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to indicate that a particular action, often a treatment or medication, is a potential option. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's applicable across varied contexts, notably in science, news, and academia. When writing, remember to use "may be prescribed" to express possibility rather than certainty, and be mindful of the context to choose the most fitting alternative if needed. Understanding these nuances will help you use the phrase effectively and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be prescribed

Expresses a possibility, similar to "may", but with a slightly higher degree of likelihood.

might be prescribed

Indicates a lower probability than "may be prescribed", suggesting a more tentative possibility.

could be prescribed

Suggests a potential option, similar to "might be prescribed", but can also imply a conditional possibility.

can be recommended

Focuses on the recommendation aspect rather than the prescription itself.

is sometimes prescribed

Highlights that the action happens occasionally but not always.

is often prescribed

Indicates a higher frequency of prescription compared to "may be prescribed".

is likely to be prescribed

Suggests a higher probability than "may be prescribed" that the action will occur.

is advisable to prescribe

Emphasizes the advisability of the prescription, focusing on the recommendation aspect.

is indicated

Suggests that prescribing is a suitable course of action based on medical needs.

is appropriate to prescribe

Highlights the suitability and correctness of prescribing in a given situation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "may be prescribed" is used to indicate that something is a possible or potential treatment option. For example: "Antibiotics "may be prescribed" for bacterial infections".

What are some alternatives to "may be prescribed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "can be recommended", "might be prescribed", or "could be prescribed", depending on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "may be prescribed" over "is prescribed"?

"May be prescribed" indicates a possibility or option, whereas "is prescribed" indicates a certainty or standard practice. Use "may be prescribed" when the treatment depends on specific circumstances.

What's the difference between "may be prescribed" and "should be prescribed"?

"May be prescribed" suggests a possibility or option, while "should be prescribed" implies a recommendation or necessity based on professional judgment or guidelines.