may be skipped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be skipped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a certain step or part of a process is optional and can be omitted. Example: "If you are already familiar with the material, the introduction may be skipped."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

5. Be aware that anything that appears before "Chapter One" may be skipped.

The Guardian - Books

Somewhat dry ricotta and mascarpone cheesecake, homey and sweet raspberry mousse cake and very wet tiramisu may be skipped.

The New York Times

Teaching young people that education is unimportant and may be skipped in the pursuit of money hurts everybody.

The New York Times - Sports

One would be sadly mistaken to think any steps in the process of mastery of something may be skipped.

The New York Times

If desired, place lentils in a bowl with water to cover, and soak overnight; this step may be skipped, but makes lentils more digestible.

The New York Times

If M V k, k + 1 < = T 1, some frames may be skipped.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Mitt Romney may be skipping some major G.O.P. events in Iowa this week, but he's still got his eye on someone who isn't: his rival Rick Perry.

The New York Times

While people may be skipping past adverts or playing with their smartphones if they do watch them, at least, the thinking goes, they are aware of them, and hopefully for more than three seconds.

The Guardian

Based on their survey Macmillan estimated that more than 2,000 people may be skipping appointments because of loneliness, 4,200 are not sticking to their medicine regime, 9,000 were unable to collect prescriptions and 6,200 refused some form of treatment.

Independent

Though the show's writers try to achieve catharsis through laughter, they forget that catharsis only comes after a process of pained reflection; the growing proportion of viewers who watch "The Daily Show" at the expense of other news sources may be skipping a step.

The New York Times

Xiaomi may be skipping Mobile World Congress, the year's biggest phone show, but it is still making news this week after it unveiled its first processor and the first phone it is powering.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be skipped" to clearly indicate that a step or section is optional, providing flexibility in a process or document. Ensure the context makes it clear who has the option and under what conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "may be skipped" when something is definitely not required. "May" implies a choice, not an absolute absence. If something is never needed, use phrases like "is not required" or "is unnecessary" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be skipped" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating that something is optional. As shown in Ludwig, it suggests that a step or element in a process can be omitted without affecting the overall outcome. It's a polite way to offer flexibility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be skipped" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression indicating that something is optional. According to Ludwig, it is frequently found in scientific articles, news media, and wikis. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines who has the option to skip and under what circumstances. Alternatives like "can be omitted" or "is optional" can be used for similar meanings, offering variety in writing. Understanding when to use "may be skipped" contributes to clear and adaptable communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be omitted

Changes "may be" to "can be", suggesting a slightly higher degree of permissibility.

is optional

Replaces the verb "skipped" with the adjective "optional", altering the sentence structure.

can be bypassed

Substitutes "skipped" with "bypassed", implying a way to avoid something.

is not required

Shifts from optionality to a lack of necessity.

is permissible to omit

Adds a formal tone by explicitly stating permission to omit.

need not be done

Expresses the lack of requirement using a different verb structure.

is allowed to be skipped

Emphasizes permission more directly than the original phrase.

is forgone

Replaces the active verb with a passive one, suggesting that a step could go without it.

might be disregarded

Changes the modality and implies a potential decision to ignore something.

could be left out

Offers a more casual and less formal alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "may be skipped" to indicate that a step, section, or element is optional and can be omitted depending on the circumstances. For example, "If you already understand the basics, this chapter "may be skipped"."

What's a more formal alternative to "may be skipped"?

A more formal alternative to "may be skipped" is "can be omitted" or "is permissible to omit". These phrases convey a similar meaning but are more appropriate for academic or professional writing.

Is "may be skipped" the same as "must be skipped"?

No, "may be skipped" and "must be skipped" have opposite meanings. "May be skipped" indicates something is optional, while "must be skipped" indicates it is required to be omitted or avoided.

What can I use instead of "may be skipped" in a less formal context?

In a less formal context, you could use phrases like "can be left out" or "you can skip it". These options are more conversational and suitable for informal communication.