may be recognized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be recognized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something has the potential to be acknowledged or identified in a certain context. Example: "The contributions of the volunteers may be recognized during the annual awards ceremony."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two principal regions may be recognized in Sinai.

Britannica

In this relationship, two phases may be recognized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Up to 10 individuals may be recognized within each category.

Columbia University

Several species may be recognized; two, T. audax and T. albidus, are commonly called marlin (q.v.).

Britannica

Certain rhythmic patterns may be recognized as indicators of cadence, as in some Japanese music.

Britannica

Bio-inspired chemical engineering (BioChE) may be recognized as a significant branch of chemical engineering.

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering

Three factors may be recognized as contributing to the character of Mesopotamian art and architecture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Based on nucleation theory, this discontinuity may be recognized as a regime III to regime 11 transition.

Polymer

Nothing in Section 102.168 provides that legal votes may be recognized only if they were identified in countywide recounts.

The New York Times

In places the old mountain ranges may be recognized by hills several hundreds of metres in height.

Britannica

Cooke reaffirmed the possibility, long disputed by many theorists, that such feelings may be recognized, identified, and even classified.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be recognized" when expressing a possibility or potential for something to be identified or acknowledged. Be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately reflects the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

Common error

While "may be recognized" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider rephrasing with active voice when appropriate to create a stronger impact. For example, instead of "The issue may be recognized by the team", try "The team may recognize the issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be recognized" functions as a modal passive construction. It expresses a possibility or potential for something to be identified or acknowledged. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase indicates that something could be recognized, but it is not a certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

Encyclopedias

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be recognized" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express the possibility or potential for something to be identified or acknowledged. As noted by Ludwig, it's deemed correct and usable in written English. While it appears most frequently in scientific and encyclopedic contexts, its usage extends to news, media, and academic writing, indicating broad applicability. When using "may be recognized", consider whether an active voice construction might be more impactful, and be mindful of the specific nuance you wish to convey. Alternatives such as "could be identified" or "might be acknowledged" can offer subtle shifts in meaning. Overall, this phrase remains a valuable tool for expressing possibility with a degree of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be identified

Replaces "may" with "could", suggesting possibility but potentially implying slightly less certainty.

can be identified

Uses "can" instead of "may", indicating a possibility that is more based on ability or capacity.

might be acknowledged

Replaces "recognized" with "acknowledged", shifting the focus from identification to acceptance or awareness.

could be acknowledged

Combines the less certain "could" with "acknowledged", suggesting a possible but not definite acceptance.

might be identified

Uses "might" instead of "may", suggesting a lower probability of identification.

can be discerned

Substitutes "recognized" with "discerned", emphasizing the act of perceiving or distinguishing something.

is potentially identifiable

Rephrases the phrase to focus on the potential for being identified, using a more descriptive adjective.

is possibly detected

Changes "recognized" to "detected", implying discovery through specific methods or instruments.

has the potential to be recognized

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the potential for recognition, adding emphasis.

is liable to be identified

Uses "liable" to convey a tendency or likelihood of being identified, potentially implying a negative connotation.

FAQs

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

Use "may be recognized" to indicate that something has the potential to be identified or acknowledged, for example, "The early signs of the disease "may be recognized" through routine checkups".

What are some alternatives to "may be recognized"?

Alternatives include "could be identified", "can be identified", or "might be acknowledged". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "may be recognized" formal or informal?

"May be recognized" is generally suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "may be recognized" and "can be recognized"?

"May be recognized" implies a possibility or permission, while "can be recognized" suggests an ability or capacity. For instance, "The pattern "may be recognized"" suggests it's possible to see it, whereas "The pattern "can be recognized"" implies someone has the ability to recognize it.