may become

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may become" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility or potential change in state or condition in the future. Example: "If we continue to invest in renewable energy, our city may become a leader in sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Things may become clearer in late May.

The Economist

Breathing may become difficult.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Antitrust regulators may become wary.

The Economist

Still, relations may become abrasive.

The Economist

It may become many things.

The New York Times - Tech

Muscles may become mush.

The New York Times - Sports

Space may become available.

Cornell University

You may become one!

Cornell University

This one may become his most notorious.

The Economist

Useful products may become less tradable.

The Economist

Mitt Romney may become our next president.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may become" to express possibilities or potential future states, acknowledging uncertainty. Avoid using it when certainty is required.

Common error

Avoid using "may become" repetitively in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "could evolve into" or "might develop into" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may become" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or potential. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from predicting future trends to describing potential changes in physical states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may become" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express possibility and potential. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. Its frequency is "Very common", particularly in news media and general writing. While "may become" is suitable for both formal and informal situations, it's advisable to avoid overuse by employing related alternatives like "could turn into" or "might develop into" to enhance writing clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could turn into

Suggests a transformation or evolution into something different.

might transform into

Similar to 'could turn into' but suggests a more dramatic change.

might develop into

Implies a gradual process of growth or change.

could evolve into

Similar to 'develop into' but often implies a more complex or natural process.

is likely to become

Indicates a higher probability of the event occurring.

can potentially turn into

Highlights the possibility but not necessarily the likelihood.

has the potential to be

Highlights the inherent possibilities for future development.

can transition into

Indicates a shift from one state to another.

is poised to become

Suggests readiness or preparation for a future state.

is susceptible to becoming

Highlights a vulnerability or predisposition to a specific outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "may become" in a sentence?

Use "may become" to express a possibility or potential future state. For example, "If we invest in renewable energy, our city "may become" a leader in sustainability."

What are some alternatives to "may become"?

You can use alternatives like "could turn into", "might develop into", or "is likely to become" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "may become" and "will become"?

"May become" suggests a possibility, while "will become" indicates a higher degree of certainty. Use ""may become"" when the outcome is uncertain and "will become" when it is highly probable.

Is "may become" formal or informal?

"May become" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the overall tone and purpose of your writing rather than the setting.