may be terminated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be terminated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something has the potential to be ended or canceled, often in legal or formal documents. Example: "The contract may be terminated by either party with written notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Appointments in these categories may be terminated as described in Section 6.0, Termination of Employment; note that special rules may apply for Service Staff, and administrators or managers should consult with the Labor Relations group.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Such statements may be terminated in two ways: by a period (implicit termination), which terminates all unterminated statements contained, or by a scope terminator, which terminates the nearest matching open statement.

Wikipedia

Employees may be terminated.

The New York Times

An appointment may be terminated for cause at any time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

An election under subsection (a) may be terminated by revocation.

Cornell University

The test may be terminated earlier if flame penetration is observed.

Cornell University

Public participation may be terminated at any time for any reason.

Cornell University

They may be terminated in accordance with the provisions of the collective bargaining agreements.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Upon receipt of a second complaint, a students Internet connection may be terminated immediately.

Stanford University

Multilateral treaties may be terminated or suspended by the unanimous agreement of all their parties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the event of misconduct, an employee's job may be terminated at PDC's sole discretion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs like "will be terminated" to indicate a higher degree of certainty, or "can be terminated" to denote a more discretionary option.

Common error

Avoid using "may be terminated" in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "can be ended" or "might be stopped" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be terminated" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates the possibility of an action being performed on the subject, as seen in Ludwig's examples such as "The agreement may be terminated by either party."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

36%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

12%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be terminated" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase that expresses the potential for something to be ended or discontinued. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it's prevalent in formal contexts such as academia, news media, and legal documents. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly define the conditions for termination to avoid ambiguity and to consider simpler alternatives in informal settings. The phrase has a wide range of semantically similar substitutes, like "can be ended" or "could be discontinued", that could be used in different contexts. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for indicating possibility or potential action in legal and formal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be ended

Focuses on the simple action of ending something, without specifying the reason or method.

could be discontinued

Suggests a more formal or official cessation.

might be canceled

Implies a decision to call something off, often before it begins or is completed.

is subject to cancellation

Highlights the possibility of cancellation based on certain conditions or terms.

is liable to be revoked

Suggests a more formal retraction or annulment, often of a permit or license.

is susceptible to being voided

Highlights the vulnerability of something to being declared invalid or ineffective.

is open to being rescinded

Indicates the possibility of reversing or taking back an agreement or decision.

could be suspended

Suggests a temporary cessation or interruption, rather than a complete end.

can be invalidated

Focuses on the act of making something legally or officially invalid.

is eligible for discontinuation

Highlights that something is qualified or meets the criteria for being stopped.

FAQs

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

You can use "may be terminated" to indicate that something has the potential to be ended or canceled, often in legal or formal documents. For example, "The contract "may be terminated" by either party with written notice."

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

You can use alternatives like "can be ended", "might be canceled", or "could be discontinued" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may be terminated" or "will be terminated"?

"May be terminated" indicates a possibility or potential for termination, while "will be terminated" suggests a higher degree of certainty or a future action that is planned or expected.

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

"May be terminated" often implies that there are specific conditions or permissions required for the action, whereas "can be terminated" suggests a general ability or possibility without necessarily implying specific prerequisites.