may be varied

USAGE SUMMARY

"may be varied" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that could be changed or adjusted. For example: "The ingredients of the recipe may be varied to suit individual tastes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each consists of two repeated phrases (AA BB), but the repetition may be varied (AA′ BB′).

Britannica

The incidents may be varied, but the reason is always the same: my exceptional outward appearance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This checkerboard may be varied spatially to create arbitrary amplitude modulation as a function of position.

Nature

The size, the shape, and the distribution of inclusions in the coating may be varied.

World Renewable Energy Congress VI Renewables: The Energy for the 21st Century World Renewable Energy Congress VI 1–7 July 2000 Brighton, UK

The focus of policy reforms may be varied according to the times and regions.

Journal of Cleaner Production

These features may be varied globally by variation of the foam's density, ρf.

International Journal of Engineering Science

For advanced students, the system of prescribed movements may be varied somewhat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In most commercial bottle centrifuges the centrifugal field may be varied from a few g up to tens of thousands.

Britannica

Nanostructures are formed in which the number of layers and the number of particles in each layer may be varied.

Electrochemistry Communications

The system has a great flexibility, because of the several parameters that may be varied, to simulate an actual process.

International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer

Colour-emitting may be varied by changing relative intensities of Ce3+ and Tb3+ through energy transfer in BaSiF6 phosphors.

Journal of Luminescence

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may be varied" when you want to indicate that something has the potential to be changed or adjusted based on specific conditions or requirements. This phrase offers flexibility and adaptability in your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "may be varied". In many cases, you can strengthen your writing by using active voice. For example, instead of "The parameters may be varied by the user", try "The user can vary the parameters".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be varied" functions as a modal passive construction. It expresses the possibility or permission for something to be changed or modified. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

Encyclopedias

15%

News & Media

9%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be varied" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression indicating the possibility or permission for changes or modifications. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's prevalent across various domains, especially in scientific, encyclopedic, and news contexts, denoting adaptability and flexibility. While it is often used appropriately, writers should be mindful of overusing the passive voice and consider using alternatives like "can be modified" or "is subject to change" for stronger, more direct writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be modified

Replaces "may be" with "can be", emphasizing possibility rather than permission.

can be altered

Substitutes "varied" with "altered", highlighting a change in character or composition.

can be adjusted

Replaces "varied" with "adjusted", focusing on fine-tuning or making more suitable.

can be adapted

Changes "varied" to "adapted", implying a change to suit new conditions.

is subject to change

Replaces the modal verb with a more direct statement of potential change.

is open to modification

Highlights the possibility and permissibility of changes being made.

is susceptible to variation

Emphasizes the inherent tendency to change or differ.

is capable of being changed

Uses a more formal and verbose structure to express the ability to be changed.

allows for alteration

Focuses on the permission or allowance for changes to occur.

permits modification

Similar to "allows for alteration" but more formally conveys permission.

FAQs

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

You can use "may be varied" to indicate that something is subject to change or modification. For example: "The recipe's ingredients "may be varied" to suit individual preferences".

What are some alternatives to "may be varied"?

Alternatives include "can be modified", "can be adjusted", or "is subject to change", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "can be varied" instead of "may be varied"?

Yes, "can be varied" is often interchangeable with "may be varied", but "may" suggests permission or possibility, while "can" indicates ability or capacity. The choice depends on the intended meaning in context. For example, "entry requirements "may be varied" at the discretion of the admissions team", while "the volume "can be varied" by adjusting the dial".

What's the difference between "may be varied" and "may vary"?

"May be varied" suggests that something has the potential to be changed from a standard or initial state. "May vary" means something is likely to differ or fluctuate. For example: "The size of the sample "may be varied" during the experiment", and "Test results "may vary" depending on individual circumstances".