may be underestimated

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be underestimated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something perhaps is not fully appreciated or understood. For example, "The impact of her contributions may be underestimated by many, but her colleagues know the full value of her hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He may be underestimated.

The Guardian - Sport

However, we caution that our uncertainties may be underestimated.

Princeton University

As a result, their breast cancer risk may be underestimated.

The New York Times - Health

Herein, the possibility of engagement may be underestimated.

Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research

The difficulty of creating MOOCs may be underestimated.

The Economist

Once they identify, their academic ability, achievement and performance may be underestimated by others.

The Washington Post

In many neighborhoods, the problem caused by foreclosure may be underestimated, Ms. Newman said.

The New York Times

Almost as shocking is the realisation that the numbers may be underestimated.

The Guardian

Consequently, the incidence of DVT as a complication of MSI may be underestimated.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

However, the syndrome presents with highly variable phenotypes and thus may be underestimated among Danish newborns.

The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics

However, LVI may be underestimated, both because of interobserver variability and incomplete sampling.

Pathology - Research and Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement and prevent repetitiveness. Consider synonyms such as "overlooked" or "undervalued".

Common error

Ensure that when you use the phrase "may be underestimated", you provide context and reasoning. Simply stating that something "may be underestimated" without further explanation leaves the reader questioning the validity of your claim. Add supporting data, expert opinions, or logical reasoning to bolster your assertion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be underestimated" functions as a qualifier, suggesting a degree of uncertainty about the true extent or impact of something. It's a passive construction indicating that an external agent or factor is likely not fully appreciating or accounting for the thing being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

26%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be underestimated" is a common and grammatically correct way to suggest that the true extent or impact of something is greater than currently perceived. As Ludwig AI highlights, it expresses a degree of uncertainty, prompting consideration of a potentially overlooked aspect. The phrase is used across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. When incorporating "may be underestimated" into your writing, it's essential to provide supporting context and avoid overuse. Consider alternatives like "could be undervalued" or "might be misjudged" for stylistic variation. Always aim for clarity and evidence-based arguments to strengthen your claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be undervalued

Replaces "underestimated" with "undervalued", focusing on a lack of proper worth being assigned.

might be misjudged

Shifts the focus to incorrect judgment rather than a simple lack of estimation.

possibly be overlooked

Indicates a chance of being completely missed or ignored.

potentially be minimized

Suggests the scale or impact is being reduced or made to seem less important.

conceivably be discounted

Focuses on disregarding or dismissing the importance or value.

it's possible it's not fully appreciated

Rephrases to highlight a lack of full recognition of something's merits.

it is possible that it is not adequately assessed

Focuses on assessment and implies it could have been assessed inappropriately.

might not be as small as it seems

Expresses that something, in reality, is bigger than it seems.

deserves greater recognition

Shifts from underestimation to a need for increased acknowledgement.

its true impact might be greater

Indicates something will have a larger impact than it appears to have.

FAQs

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

You can use "may be underestimated" when suggesting that something's importance, value, or impact is likely greater than is currently recognized. For example, "The impact of volunteer work on community development "may be underestimated"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "may be underestimated"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "could be undervalued", "might be misjudged", or "possibly be overlooked".

Is it better to say "may be underestimated" or "is underestimated"?

"May be underestimated" suggests a possibility and some uncertainty. "Is underestimated" asserts a definite fact. Choose the phrase that best reflects the certainty of your statement.

What does it mean when something "may be underestimated"?

When something "may be underestimated", it means its true value, importance, or extent is likely greater than what is currently perceived or measured. There is a potential for greater impact than is being acknowledged.