may be started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be started" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is allowed or possible to begin at a certain time or under certain conditions. Example: "The project may be started once all approvals have been obtained."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The ten- to twelve-week fellowship program, which may be started as early as May, provides a stipend of $950 per week.

Princeton University

A graphical editor may be started from the canvas "Edit" menu.

Stanford University

If ventilation has stopped, artificial ventilation (rescue breathing) may be started to increase available oxygen.

Princeton University

The project may be started in the junior year and continued into the senior year.

Yale University

Reconstruction may be started at the same time as the mastectomy, or later.

The New York Times

After a landlord serves the termination notice, a court proceeding may be started to evict the tenant.

The New York Times

Change in cellular pH due to onset of certain malfunctions needs to be tracked quickly so that treatment to cure such incidents may be started immediately.

Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine

Although wars may be started and ended by networks, they impact on ordinary people's bodies and lives in a much more basic way.

The Guardian - Tech

Most MOOCs may be started at any time, and many are broken down into short modules, so they're valuable for just-in-time skill acquisition.

Harvard Business Review

In response to issues raised by his case, it was decided extradition proceedings may be started only with the approval of the director of the justice ministry.

The New York Times

Officials say that the tough standards will mean that at most a handful of stations in the least populated parts of the country may be started, although even that is now uncertain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be started", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being started and under what conditions. This avoids ambiguity and provides clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions like "may be started". Consider whether an active voice construction would make the sentence more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The project may be started by the team", consider "The team may start the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be started" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating a possibility or permission for an action or process to commence. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts. It demonstrates that an action is contingent upon certain conditions or authorizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be started" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression indicating the possibility or permission for something to begin. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources, confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While highly frequent in scientific and news contexts, remember to use it judiciously, considering whether an active voice construction might offer greater clarity or impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be initiated

Replaces "may" with "can", suggesting possibility or ability rather than permission.

could be commenced

Substitutes "may" with "could", indicating a conditional possibility; "commenced" adds a slightly more formal tone.

might be launched

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating a lower probability; "launched" implies a more active beginning.

is permitted to begin

Replaces "may" with "is permitted", explicitly stating permission; "to begin" is a clearer, more direct substitute for "started".

is allowed to start

Similar to "is permitted to begin", this emphasizes permission and uses the simpler word "start".

can be activated

Focuses on the activation or triggering of a process rather than its overall start.

can be triggered

Highlights the triggering event that allows the process to start.

is eligible to commence

Implies that certain conditions must be met before something is started.

is authorized to initiate

Indicates that formal authorization is required before starting something.

is scheduled to begin

Focuses on the planned start of an event or process.

FAQs

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

The phrase "may be started" indicates possibility or permission for an action to begin. For example, "The experiment "may be started" after the equipment is calibrated".

What are some alternatives to "may be started"?

Alternatives include "can be initiated", "could be commenced", or "is permitted to begin", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "may be started" and "can be started"?

"May be started" often implies permission or possibility based on conditions, while "can be started" typically suggests ability or capacity. The phrase "can be started" focuses on the capability to start.

When should I use "may be started" instead of "will be started"?

Use "may be started" when there's uncertainty or a condition that needs to be met before the start. "Will be started" indicates a definite future action. For example, the procedure "will be started" tomorrow at 9 AM.