may be suggested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be suggested" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is a possibility or recommendation without asserting it as a certainty. Example: "In this situation, a different approach may be suggested to achieve better results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It may be suggested that the province should—at least temporarily—have a special status.

The Economist

Although any attempt at explanation is bound to be speculative, the following may be suggested.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Our baggage and idiosyncrasies may be suggested in our appearance; but much is invisible to the world.

The Guardian - Books

Part of why that is so may be suggested by one of the amendment's seventeen words, "desecration".

The New Yorker

A missionary journey to Asia Minor may be suggested in the First Letter of Peter 1 1.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Great conductors can demonstrate to us what an orchestra is capable of, how one deals with it, which nuances of tempo may be suggested and demanded.

The Guardian - Books

Something may still be wrong in the head or limbs that will not be detected but that may be suggested in the course of a standard medical checkup.

The New York Times - Health

New choices for the design configuration and parameters may be suggested by implementing the iterative procedure.

Energy

Such changes it may be suggested are easily transferable across all UK nursing curricula.

Nurse Education in Practice

Therefore, this model may be suggested for use in critical applications, such as aeronautical structural design.

International Journal of Fatigue

All the above-presented proposals may be suggested for further research works.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be suggested" when presenting an idea or recommendation tentatively, avoiding a definitive or assertive tone. This is especially useful in academic or professional writing where objectivity and open-mindedness are valued.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "may be suggested" as it can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Consider if an active voice alternative would be more impactful and clear, such as "we suggest" or "experts propose".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be suggested" functions as a modal passive construction. It presents a suggestion or possibility in a tentative and non-assertive manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be suggested" is a versatile modal passive construction widely used to present suggestions, possibilities, or recommendations in a tentative and non-assertive manner. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially formal and scientific writing. Its prevalence across scientific publications, news articles, and encyclopedias underscores its reliability and broad applicability. When aiming for a confident tone, consider using alternatives like "is recommended" or "should be considered". However, "may be suggested" remains a valuable tool for academic and professional communication when objectivity and open-mindedness are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be proposed

Suggests a slightly weaker level of certainty or formality than "may be suggested".

could be recommended

Implies a stronger degree of advice or endorsement, shifting the focus from possibility to advisability.

can be inferred

Emphasizes a logical deduction or conclusion drawn from evidence.

it is conceivable that

Introduces a higher degree of formality and expresses that something is possible or imaginable.

one might speculate

Highlights the speculative nature of a claim or hypothesis.

it's plausible that

Indicates a reasonable or believable possibility, often based on available information.

it is hypothesized

Commonly used in scientific contexts to introduce a proposed explanation for a phenomenon.

one could surmise

Suggests forming an opinion or making a judgment based on incomplete information.

it's not unreasonable to think

Emphasizes the rationality or justification for a particular belief or assumption.

a possible explanation is

Introduces a potential reason or cause for something, often in an explanatory context.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "may be suggested" to sound more assertive?

If you want to sound more confident, you could use phrases like "should be considered", "is recommended", or "we propose".

Is "may be suggested" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "may be suggested" is suitable for formal writing as it presents ideas in a tentative and non-dogmatic way. However, consider your audience and the overall tone you wish to convey.

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

"May be suggested" implies a possibility or a tentative recommendation, while "can be suggested" indicates a general possibility or permissibility. "May" indicates a higher degree of uncertainty or conditionality.

What are some synonyms for "may be suggested" that are suitable for scientific writing?

In scientific writing, alternatives like "can be inferred", "it is hypothesized", or "a possible explanation is" may be appropriate depending on the context.