may be there

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'may be there' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a possibility or a hypothetical situation. For example: He said he wouldn't be at the party tonight, but he may be there.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hannah may be there a few years.

The New York Times - Sports

The will may be there.

The New York Times

The justices may be there for decades.

The New York Times

They may be there until next year.

The New York Times

"Some may be there for several months.

The Guardian

The opportunity to succeed may be there.

The New York Times - Sports

The answer you're looking for just may be there.

Princeton University

You may be there now, with a grande caffè mocha.

The New York Times

"As profitable as they may be, there are limits.

The New York Times

Many workers may be there for months, she said.

The New York Times - Science

Oh, and psst: Wynton Marsalis may be there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be there" when you want to express a possibility without certainty. It's suitable for situations where you're not sure if someone or something will be present.

Common error

Avoid using "maybe there" when you mean "may be there". "Maybe" is an adverb meaning "perhaps", while "may be" is a modal verb construction expressing possibility. For example, "Maybe he will come" vs "He may be there".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be there" functions primarily as a modal expression indicating possibility. It suggests a chance or likelihood of someone or something being present in a particular location or situation, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be there" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a possibility or uncertainty about someone or something's presence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general conversation. While relatively neutral in register, careful attention should be paid to avoid confusion with "maybe there". By considering the context and desired level of certainty, writers can effectively use "may be there" to convey the intended meaning. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be present

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating a slightly lower probability of being present.

could be located

Focuses on the location aspect, suggesting a possibility of finding something at a particular place.

it is possible to find

Emphasizes the possibility of finding something, using a more descriptive structure.

there is a chance of

Highlights the element of chance or probability.

it is conceivable that

Introduces a formal tone, suggesting something is within the realm of possibility.

it's not impossible to see

Uses a double negative to express possibility, emphasizing that it's still possible.

one might encounter

Suggests the possibility of encountering something or someone.

it is not out of the question

Implies something is possible, though perhaps unlikely.

they could exist

Focuses on the potential existence of something in a given place.

one can expect

This indicates a degree of anticipation or likelihood, suggesting that their presence aligns with expectations.

FAQs

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

Use "may be there" to indicate a possibility or uncertainty about someone or something's presence. For example, "He said he wouldn't be at the party tonight, but he "may be there"".

What's a more formal alternative to "may be there"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it is possible that they are present" or "they might be located there" as alternatives to "may be there".

Is "maybe there" the same as "may be there"?

No, "maybe" is an adverb meaning "perhaps", while "may be" is a verb phrase indicating possibility. "Maybe he will come" is different from "He "may be there"".

What does "may be there" imply about certainty?

"May be there" implies a degree of uncertainty. It suggests that there is a possibility, but it is not guaranteed. It's less certain than saying "will be there".