may be undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is possibly engaged in a particular activity or task. Example: "The team may be undertaking a new project that focuses on sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Lil Baby, Q.C.'s emerging star, may be undertaking a similar journey: where once he casually discussed his lean addiction, now he says that he is drug-free.

The New Yorker

In acting as though the bill still has a chance, McConnell may be undertaking another Trump-like maneuver: reducing matters of state to the level of farce.

The New Yorker

In one country entrepreneurs may be undertaking enterprise investment that has as its aim the introduction of the most advanced types of production techniques, those that will lead to a rapid growth of labour productivity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Here it is natural, again, to draw a distinction between two sorts of projects the compatibilist may be undertaking, which we may call descriptive and revisionary compatibilism (compare Strawson 1959).

SEP

While the education and preparation for these roles has increased, in that around 39% of nurses now have diplomas and 1% have degrees, the remaining 60% are educated at secondary school level, which effectively means that teenagers may be undertaking complex midwifery and nursing procedures without the appropriate experience or training.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Photocopying of original documents may be undertaken by staff at their discretion.

The Guardian

More than 50 different projects may be undertaken by 4-H members.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Did you consider it was for you to decide to jeopardise any on going operation that may be undertaken by counter terrorism in the metropolis?" Wright asked.

The Guardian

Instead, the search for common ground may be undertaken for goals as readily understood in a secular sense as they are in a sacred one.

The New York Times

Home schooling may be undertaken voluntarily by any parent, or group of parents, regardless of the disability status of the students they instruct.

The New York Times

Teaching may be undertaken by the museum's educational staff or, more often, by the schoolteacher, who will have been advised and instructed by the staff.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be undertaking", ensure the context clearly indicates a possibility rather than a certainty. Choose stronger verbs if you intend to indicate a higher degree of confidence in the action.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple modal verbs such as "might could be undertaking", which weakens the sentence and sounds awkward. Choose the single best modal verb to express the intended degree of certainty or possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be undertaking" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing possibility or uncertainty about an action. Ludwig AI identifies that it frames an action as potentially in progress, without asserting its certainty. It is often used to introduce hypothetical scenarios or plans that are not yet definite.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be undertaking" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the possibility of an action or project being in progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While relatively rare, its neutral-to-formal register makes it suitable for scenarios where cautious speculation is warranted. Alternatives like "could be embarking on" or "might be commencing" can offer nuanced variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be embarking on

Replaces "undertaking" with "embarking on", suggesting a beginning or start of a journey or project.

might be commencing

Substitutes "may" with "might" and "undertaking" with "commencing", conveying a slightly more formal tone.

possibly be initiating

Replaces "undertaking" with "initiating", which emphasizes the start or introduction of something.

potentially be pursuing

Changes "undertaking" to "pursuing", focusing on the effort and drive towards a goal.

conceivably be executing

Replaces "undertaking" with "executing", implying a more hands-on and active involvement.

perhaps be engaging in

Uses "engaging in" instead of "undertaking", broadening the scope to include various forms of involvement.

likely to be initiating

Switches to "likely to be initiating", indicating higher probability.

scheduled to commence

Specifies the start is scheduled and removes the element of uncertainty.

planning to initiate

Focuses on the planning stage before starting the action.

thinking of starting

Indicates preliminary consideration without definite action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "may be undertaking" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "might be commencing" or "potentially be pursuing", which often appear in professional and academic contexts.

What are some less formal alternatives to "may be undertaking"?

If you're aiming for a more casual tone, you could say "could be starting" or "might be doing", which are simpler and more conversational.

Is there a difference in certainty between "may be undertaking" and "will be undertaking"?

Yes. "May be undertaking" indicates a possibility, while "will be undertaking" implies a higher degree of certainty and a definite plan to perform the action.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "may be undertaking"?

The phrase "may be undertaking" is suitable in contexts where you want to express that an action is possible but not confirmed, such as in news reports, academic discussions, or business proposals.