may be stricken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be stricken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something can be removed or deleted from a document or record. Example: "Any irrelevant information in the report may be stricken to maintain clarity and focus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Should you survive, you may be stricken by repeated bouts of sickness.

The Economist

Wouldn't you know it, the answers came back fairly divided between the sexes, with a surprisingly high number of both male and female respondents saying that while they may be stricken by a greater number of genuine maladies overall, their spouse clearly complains more per ache than they do.

The New York Times - Health

Children who witness a parent struggling with Alzheimer's also have to confront the daunting fact that they too may be stricken at an early age.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And friends of all denominations worry we may be struck by lightning.

The New York Times - Magazine

And those who do pass through may be struck by how reasonable prices have become.

The New York Times - Travel

(Indeed, if you express even hesitancy about capital punishment, you may be struck).

The New York Times - Magazine

Households buy insurance against the possibility that their homes may be struck by lightning.

The Economist

Mr Deegan supports this stand, which may be striking a chord with voters.

The Economist

But though the stakes are high, optimism that a deal may be struck is in short supply on both sides.

The New York Times

And it appears to be vastly different on the Web, where "cheap voyeurism" may be striking a chord.

The New York Times

Yet a visitor to its pastoral Vermont campus may be struck less by its history than by its levity.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be stricken", ensure the context is formal and the tone is serious, as it often implies a grave or significant affliction. Reserve it for situations where a strong impact is being conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "may be stricken" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or out of place. Opt for simpler alternatives like "might be affected" or "could experience" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be stricken" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, indicating a potential future state of being affected negatively by something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Examples show it used to describe potential health or hereditary conditions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be stricken" is a grammatically correct, albeit rare, construction used to express the possibility of experiencing a severe affliction or negative condition. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most appropriate in formal contexts, particularly within news media and scientific writing. While semantically sound, consider alternative phrases like "might be affected" in less formal settings to avoid sounding overly dramatic. The phrase carries a tone of seriousness and should be reserved for situations where the potential impact is significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be afflicted

Suggests a possibility of being affected negatively, similar to "stricken" but with a slightly milder tone.

might be affected

Emphasizes a potential influence or impact, changing the focus from a direct affliction to a broader effect.

may be impacted

Focuses on the potential effect or consequence, rather than the direct experience of being afflicted.

could suffer from

Specifically indicates the potential for experiencing negative effects or hardship.

might be subject to

Highlights the possibility of undergoing or experiencing something, often undesirable.

may be vulnerable to

Highlights a state of susceptibility or exposure to potential harm or negative influences.

may experience

Broader term indicating the potential for encountering or undergoing a particular condition or event.

might contract

Implies the possibility of acquiring a disease or illness.

may fall victim to

Suggests the potential for being negatively affected by something, often with a sense of misfortune.

could be a casualty of

Implies being negatively affected as a result of external forces or circumstances, often with a severe outcome.

FAQs

What does "may be stricken" mean?

The phrase "may be stricken" means someone or something might be severely affected or afflicted by a disease, misfortune, or other adverse condition. It suggests a potential for a significant negative impact.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "may be stricken"?

Use "may be stricken" in formal or serious contexts where you want to convey a strong sense of potential affliction or suffering. It's common in medical, legal, or journalistic writing.

What are some alternatives to "may be stricken"?

You can use alternatives like "might be affected", "could be afflicted", or "may be impacted" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "may be stricken" grammatically correct?

Yes, "may be stricken" is grammatically correct. It uses the modal verb "may" to indicate possibility, the auxiliary verb "be", and the past participle "stricken" to form a passive construction. This construction is standard English.