may be their

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be their" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a fragment and lacks context to determine its intended meaning. Example: "The results may be their responsibility, but we need to confirm that."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Instead, it may be their salvation.

The New Yorker

That may be their greatest sin.

Independent

"It may be their first vehicle".

The New York Times

That may be their point.

The New York Times - Arts

This may be their best available option".

The New York Times

The kitchen may be their favorite room.

The New York Times

But soon, it may be their reality.

The New York Times - Sports

"That may be their only core competency".

The New York Times

He may be their M.V.P. this year".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This may, however, be their golden hour.

The New York Times

It may not be their fault.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "may be their", ensure that the sentence structure clearly indicates what "their" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example: "The decision may be their responsibility, not ours".

Common error

A common mistake is using "may be their" without a clear reference for "their", leading to confusion. Always ensure the possessive pronoun has a defined antecedent to maintain clarity. E.g. "The mistake may be their lack of experience."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be their" functions as a modal verb construction expressing possibility combined with a possessive determiner. Ludwig AI's analysis suggests it is often part of a larger statement, indicating a potential association or characteristic. Despite being frequently used, it can sound incomplete without additional context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "may be their" is commonly encountered, Ludwig AI flags it as potentially incorrect due to its often incomplete nature. It's frequently used in news and media to express possibility or tentative connections. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, consider alternatives such as "might be theirs" or "could be theirs". When using the phrase, be mindful of context and ensure a clear reference for 'their' to avoid ambiguity. The high frequency of the phrase in various sources indicates its common usage, but careful attention to grammatical accuracy is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Might be theirs

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating a slightly weaker possibility and uses the possessive pronoun.

Could be theirs

Substitutes "may" with "could", suggesting a possibility with similar certainty.

Possibly belongs to them

Uses a different verb and prepositional phrase to convey the idea of possession with uncertainty.

Potentially their

Replaces the verb phrase with an adverb, making it more concise but slightly less formal and uses the possessive adjective.

Perhaps is attributed to them

Uses a passive construction to attribute something to a group with a degree of uncertainty.

Is hypothetically owned by them

Emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the possession.

It is speculated to be their

Highlights that the ownership is based on speculation and uses the possessive adjective.

Conjectured to belong to them

Emphasizes that the situation is a conjecture.

Assumed to be in their possession

Focuses on the assumption about their possession.

Theirs, potentially

Inverts the structure and adds an adverb to denote the uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "may be their" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure there's a clear connection between "their" and the noun it refers to. For example: "The delay may be their fault for not submitting the paperwork on time."

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "may be their"?

Consider using "might be theirs" or "could be theirs" which are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning of possibility.

Is there a difference between using "may be their" and "may be theirs"?

Yes, "may be their" is often incomplete and grammatically awkward. "May be theirs" correctly uses the possessive pronoun "theirs" to indicate ownership or responsibility. Example: "The success "may be theirs" if they put in the effort".

When is it appropriate to use "may be their" in writing?

While technically not incorrect, "may be their" is best avoided in formal writing. It's more appropriate to use a complete and grammatically sound alternative, like "It may be their responsibility" or "That could be theirs".