may be undergoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be undergoing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is possibly in the process of experiencing a change or transition. Example: "The patient may be undergoing treatment for a chronic illness, but we need to confirm with the doctor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That may be undergoing a change.

University of California, Berkeley

Some cognitive experts believe we may be undergoing fundamental changes.

The Guardian - Tech

The employment agencies may be undergoing a similar shift.

The New York Times

I hate the idea that more individuals may be undergoing the horror of a sexual attack.

The Guardian - Opinion

Senator John McCain — left for dead, politically, in 2000 and 2008 — may be undergoing a revival.

The New Yorker

But what buyers consider a reasonable price may be undergoing a tectonic shift that has not yet shown up in any sales data.

The New York Times

Rudy, I just wish we lived in the kind of village where neighbors sympathized with couples who may be undergoing a little strain.

The New York Times

The Middle East may be undergoing a building boom, but there are areas where conservation issues are at the forefront of tourist development.

The Guardian - Travel

Even someone with high intellect and good memory, the study said, may be undergoing changes in the prefrontal part of the brain that affects behavior.

The New York Times - Health

It is early days in New York's Fashion Week, but already there are signs that the recent industry habits of exclusion may be undergoing a shift.

The New York Times

Hacking may be undergoing a type of ideological drift no longer so tightly associated with resistance to power, and often, now, connected to more authoritarian political tendencies.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be undergoing" to express a possibility or likelihood of a process or change. It's suitable when you want to convey uncertainty or a tentative observation.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions with "may be undergoing". Whenever possible, reframe the sentence to emphasize the actor performing the action for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be undergoing" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or likelihood of a process or change. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It suggests that something is possibly experiencing a transition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be undergoing" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express the possibility or likelihood of a process or change. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While interchangeable with phrases like "could be experiencing" or "might be in the process of", it's crucial to consider the subtle nuances in probability and certainty when choosing the most appropriate alternative. When writing, aim to balance the passive construction with more direct phrasing to improve clarity and engagement. The phrase’s frequent use in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be experiencing

Changes the modal verb to "could" and replaces "undergoing" with "experiencing", indicating a slightly different nuance of possibility.

might be changing

Offers a simple and direct alternative using "changing".

might be in the process of

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the process using the phrase "in the process of".

may be in a state of transition

Replaces "undergoing" with a more descriptive phrase about being in transition.

may be evolving

Emphasizes a gradual process of change over time.

could be subject to

Suggests that something is being acted upon or influenced by an external force.

could be transforming

Uses "transforming" to emphasize a more significant change.

could be shifting

Implies a change in position or direction.

might be seeing

Uses "seeing" as a more direct verb to convey experiencing a change.

might be developing

Suggests a process of growth or evolution.

FAQs

How to use "may be undergoing" in a sentence?

The phrase "may be undergoing" indicates that something is possibly in the process of experiencing a change or transition. For example, "The company "may be undergoing" significant restructuring this year" suggests a possible organizational change.

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

You can use alternatives like "could be experiencing", "might be in the process of", or "could be subject to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may be undergoing" or "is undergoing"?

"May be undergoing" suggests uncertainty or possibility, while "is undergoing" indicates a definite, ongoing process. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of certainty.

What's the difference between "may be undergoing" and "might be undergoing"?

The difference between ""may be undergoing"" and "might be undergoing" is subtle. Both express possibility, but "might" often implies a slightly lower probability or a more tentative suggestion than "may".