may be sought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be sought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is available for request or pursuit, often in formal or legal contexts. Example: "Assistance may be sought from the advisory committee for further guidance on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But his cooperation may be sought nevertheless.

The New York Times

When the transaction fails, punishment may be sought through suing.

Cornell University

Legislative steps may be sought to prevent price manipulation.

The New York Times

The University Registrar reviews for approval any other services or privileges that may be sought.

Stanford University

Support for graduate students may be sought by ORUs directly from the Graduate Division.

University of California, Berkeley

During hours when humans are less active, road-near habitats may be sought out.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Litigation also helps shape legal precedent, defining the terms under which civil justice may be sought.

The New York Times - Magazine

Damages may be sought from a terrorist organisation, not just from individuals, the judge ruled.

The Economist

Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern said damages "in the seven figures" may be sought against the building's owners.

The New York Times

For example, an injunction requiring abatement may be sought against landlords who allow lead paint on their property to decay.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In such cases a withholding certificate may be sought pursuant to the provisions of § 1.1445-6.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be sought" in formal writing when indicating that something is available or permissible to request, such as "Legal advice may be sought from a qualified professional."

Common error

Avoid using "may be sought" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "can be found" or "is available" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be sought" functions as a modal passive construction. It indicates that something is capable of being requested or looked for. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and numerous examples demonstrate its proper usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

28%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be sought" is a grammatically sound phrase, confirmed by Ludwig AI, that effectively conveys the possibility or permission to request or look for something. Its usage is prevalent in formal contexts such as academic writing, news reports, and scientific publications. While it's a versatile phrase, remember that simpler alternatives might be more suitable for informal settings. By considering context and register, you can effectively integrate "may be sought" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be requested

Changes the modal verb from "may" to "can", indicating possibility but slightly less formal.

could be obtained

Uses "could" instead of "may", suggesting a conditional possibility.

might be pursued

Replaces "may" with "might" and "sought" with "pursued", indicating a slightly lower probability or a more active approach.

can be pursued

Uses "can" instead of "may" and "pursued" instead of "sought", emphasizing the ability to take action.

is potentially available

Rephrases the sentence to highlight availability using "potentially available" instead of the modal passive.

is possibly requested

Replaces "may be sought" with "is possibly requested", focusing on the action of requesting.

is liable to be looked for

Emphasizes the anticipation that something will be searched for, introducing a sense of expectation.

could be strived for

Shifts the focus to effort and striving, suggesting a proactive approach.

might be investigated

Replaces "sought" with "investigated", suggesting a more detailed or formal examination.

is open to request

Phrases the statement in a more direct way, indicating that a request is welcome or possible.

FAQs

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

Use "may be sought" to indicate that something is permissible or possible to request. For example: "Further assistance "can be requested" from the help desk."

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

You can use alternatives such as ""can be requested"", "could be obtained", or "might be pursued" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may be sought" or "can be sought"?

Both "may be sought" and "can be sought" are grammatically correct, but "may" implies permission or possibility, while "can" suggests ability or capability. Choose the one that best fits the intended meaning. So, for example, a permission "may be requested" but a technical component "can be requested".

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

"May be sought" indicates a possibility or permission to request something, whereas "should be sought" suggests a recommendation or obligation to request something. For example, "Legal advice "may be sought"" versus "Legal advice "should be sought"".