may be reduced

USAGE SUMMARY

'may be reduced' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a possibility that something will be reduced. For example: "The price of the product may be reduced in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Commodity stockpiles may be reduced or disbanded.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Consequently, overhead costs may be reduced.

The New York Times

Efficiency may be reduced as a result.

The Guardian

It may be reduced to the problem: what is money?

The Guardian - Books

When he does, Malhotra's ice time may be reduced.

The New York Times - Sports

New York audiences may be reduced to helpless laughter.

The New York Times

Otherwise, the streak identification efficiency may be reduced.

Harvard University

Under atmospheric conditions this mobility may be reduced by chemisorption.

Electrochimica Acta

As a result, the limiting temperature may be reduced.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

Future hospitalizations may be reduced by starting a biological treatment.

Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology

It may be reduced by reversing the sequence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be reduced" to express a possibility, not a certainty. For definitive reductions, use "will be reduced".

Common error

While "may be reduced" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing less engaging. Consider active voice alternatives when appropriate to improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be reduced" functions as a modal passive construction. It expresses a possibility regarding a change, specifically a decrease, in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for expressing potential reductions. Examples show its usage in contexts ranging from financial aid to medical conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

28%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be reduced" is a grammatically correct and frequently used modal phrase expressing the possibility of a decrease. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for expressing potential reductions. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While the phrase is versatile, considering alternatives like "could be lowered" or "might be decreased" can enhance writing precision. Overuse of the passive voice, though grammatically correct, should be avoided to maintain engaging prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be lowered

Expresses possibility with an emphasis on a decrease in level or amount.

might be decreased

Indicates a possibility of becoming smaller or fewer in size or quantity.

can be diminished

Suggests a potential weakening or lessening of something.

potentially lessened

Implies a future state where something is made smaller or less significant.

possibly curtailed

Indicates a chance that something will be restricted or limited.

could be alleviated

Refers to the potential relief or reduction of something negative, like pain or burden.

it is possible to lower

Expresses a straightforward possibility of reduction.

it is conceivable to decrease

Highlights the conceivability of diminishing something.

it's plausible to curtail

Indicates that restricting or limiting something is believable or reasonable.

it is within the realm of possibility to alleviate

Emphasizes that relieving or lessening something is a realistic possibility.

FAQs

How to use "may be reduced" in a sentence?

Use "may be reduced" to indicate a possibility or potential for decrease. For example, "The risk of infection "may be reduced" with proper hygiene."

What can I say instead of "may be reduced"?

You can use alternatives like "could be lowered", "might be decreased", or "can be diminished" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may be reduced" or "will be reduced"?

"May be reduced" indicates a possibility, while "will be reduced" indicates a certainty. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of confidence in the reduction.

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

"May be reduced" suggests a possibility or potential, whereas "can be reduced" implies capability or feasibility. "The price "may be reduced"" suggests a possible price drop, while "the weight "can be reduced"" implies it's possible to make the object lighter.