may be true

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be true" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are uncertain about the truth of a statement or when you are suggesting that a statement might be true. Example: "Some reports suggest that aliens exist, but this may be true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both may be true.

The New Yorker

This may be true.

The New York Times

That may be true.

The New York Times

"It may be true".

The New York Times - Arts

Alas, this may be true.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now it may be true.

The Economist

But it may be true.

The Economist

That proposition may be true.

The New Yorker

And that may be true.

The New York Times

The opposite may be true.

The Economist

Technically that may be true.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be true" to express uncertainty or possibility, not to assert a fact. It's best used when acknowledging a statement while maintaining a degree of skepticism.

Common error

Avoid using "may be true" excessively without giving reasons or evidence. Overuse can make your writing sound indecisive and lacking in conviction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be true" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating a degree of uncertainty or possibility regarding the truth of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its role in expressing tentative acceptance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be true" is a versatile phrase used to express possibility and uncertainty. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic sources, its usage is generally neutral. To improve your writing, use it judiciously, providing context and avoiding overuse. Consider alternatives like "could be true" or "might be true" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be true

Replaces "may" with "could", suggesting a slightly weaker possibility.

might be true

Substitutes "may" with "might", conveying a similar level of uncertainty.

possibly true

Replaces the modal verb with an adverb, emphasizing the possibility.

potentially true

Similar to "possibly true", but focuses on the potential for truth.

conceivably true

Implies that something is imaginable or believable, therefore possibly true.

it is possible that it is true

Expands the phrase to a full sentence, explicitly stating the possibility.

it is plausible that it is true

Suggests that something seems reasonable and likely to be true.

it is conceivable that it is true

Emphasizes that something can be imagined or understood as true.

it is credible that it is true

Highlights the believability and trustworthiness of the statement.

it is not impossible that it is true

Uses a double negative to express possibility, implying a stronger likelihood than "may be true".

FAQs

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

Use "may be true" to express that something is possibly the case but not definitely confirmed. For example, "The rumor "may be true", but we need more evidence before drawing conclusions."

What phrases are similar to "may be true"?

Alternatives include "could be true", "might be true", or "possibly true". The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

How does "may be true" differ from "is true"?

"May be true" indicates uncertainty or possibility, while "is true" asserts a fact. Use "may be true" when you're not completely sure about something.

Is it ever wrong to use "may be true"?

It's inappropriate to use "may be true" when you have definite knowledge that something is either true or false. In such cases, use "is true" or "is false" for accuracy.