may bear upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may bear upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is relevant or has an influence on a particular subject or situation. Example: "The findings of this study may bear upon our understanding of climate change and its effects on biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A number of words in one puzzle may bear upon some announced theme, such as music, sports, literature, or geography.

Britannica

In various modes a paper may bear upon the case, although before the case be opened its particular application cannot be perceived by the judge * * *.' 25 Fed.Cas.

Cornell University

But this Court although bound by the construction that the Supreme Court may put upon the statute is not bound by the characterization of it so far as that characterization may bear upon the question of its constitutional effect.

Cornell University

This may bear upon the distinction between treatments intended to prevent relapse and treatments intended to initiate abstinence or to moderate alcohol use.

Alcohol research : current reviews

In addition, Drp1 can be SUMOylated (Braschi et al. 2009; Zunino et al. 2009), S-nitrosylated (Cho et al. 2009), or ubiquitylated (Karbowski et al. 2007), all of which may bear upon the mitochondrial fission process.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Working memory deficits have been implicated in alcohol and substance use disorders (Ambrose et al., 2001; Bechara and Martin, 2004) as well as in PG (Leiserson and Pihl, 2007) and may bear upon response perseveration previously observed in these groups.

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The attempt may bear fruit.

The Washington Post

Some reptiles may bear their young alive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A new publication, it read, must necessarily overcome the stigma of imitation placed upon it when "classified with that one or more magazines to which it may bear a comparison — however slight — in the eyes of the public.

The New Yorker

Cells may bear only one kind of plate or two.

University of California, Berkeley

The latter system may bear charges as well by copolymerization with acrylic acid.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may bear upon" when you want to suggest a possible influence or relevance without stating it as a certainty. It's suitable for academic, scientific, or formal writing where nuance is important.

Common error

Avoid using "may bear upon" when a stronger, more direct verb would be more appropriate. If the connection is definite, use "affects", "influences", or "determines" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may bear upon" functions as a modal verb phrase suggesting a potential influence or relevance. It indicates that something could have an effect or connection, rather than stating it as a certainty. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

34%

Academia

33%

News & Media

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may bear upon" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It serves to indicate a potential relevance or influence without stating it definitively. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears most frequently in scientific and academic contexts, signaling a formal and nuanced tone. Alternatives like "may influence" or "may affect" offer similar meanings but might convey a stronger sense of impact. Use "may bear upon" when suggesting a possible connection in a cautious and sophisticated manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may influence

Focuses on the potential to have an effect.

may affect

Highlights the potential to cause a change.

may have a bearing on

Emphasizes relevance or connection.

may be relevant to

Directly states the pertinence of something.

may be connected to

Suggests a link or association.

may pertain to

Indicates a direct relationship or connection to a subject.

may impact

Focuses on the potential to have a notable effect.

might be related to

Suggests a possible connection or association.

could be significant for

Highlights the potential importance or consequence.

might touch upon

Suggests a brief or indirect mention of something.

FAQs

How can I use "may bear upon" in a sentence?

You can use "may bear upon" to suggest a possible relevance or influence. For example, "The findings of this study "may bear upon" our understanding of the issue."

What's a more formal alternative to "may bear upon"?

A more formal alternative could be "may have a bearing on". This phrase adds a layer of sophistication suitable for academic or professional writing.

Is it correct to use "may bear on" instead of "may bear upon"?

While "may bear upon" is more common, "may bear on" is also grammatically correct and acceptable. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "may affect" and "may bear upon"?

"May affect" suggests a direct influence or change, whereas ""may bear upon"" implies a relevance or potential connection that might not necessarily lead to a direct alteration. The latter is often more nuanced.