may begin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may begin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the possibility or permission for something to start or commence. Example: "The meeting may begin once all participants have arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Friends and families, too, may begin to compare notes.

The New York Times

You may begin.

The New Yorker

Confusions may begin to lift.

The New York Times - Arts

That may begin to change.

The Economist

Wariness may begin to ebb.

The New York Times - Arts

Now we may begin.

The New York Times

Construction may begin in 2005.

The New York Times

Now that may begin to change.

The New York Times

Whenever they may begin and end.

The Guardian - Sport

Virgin Orbit may begin with an advantage.

The Washington Post

Then the guilt may begin to evaporate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of certainty you want to convey. If you want to express a higher degree of certainty, alternatives like "will begin" or "is set to begin" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "may begin" when the start of something is certain and scheduled. Instead of saying "The concert may begin at 8 PM", use "The concert will begin at 8 PM" to clearly indicate a scheduled event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may begin" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating possibility, permission, or a tentative future action. It combines the modal verb 'may' with the infinitive 'begin' to express that something is allowed or likely to start, as seen in examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

24%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may begin" is a versatile expression used to indicate the potential or permitted commencement of an event or action. Ludwig highlights its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, ranging from news reporting and academic writing to scientific publications. While "may begin" is a common and acceptable phrase, remember to consider alternatives like "might start" or "could commence" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Avoid using it for certain, scheduled events, as Ludwig AI examples indicates, and choose more definitive phrasing instead. It functions primarily to express possibility or permission, serving a neutral register suitable for a variety of communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might commence

Replaces "begin" with "commence", indicating a formal start.

could start

Substitutes "may" with "could", suggesting a less certain possibility.

might get underway

Replaces "begin" with "get underway", indicating the start of a process or event.

can commence

Replaces "may" with "can", suggesting possibility and permission.

could be initiated

Uses passive voice and "initiated" for a more formal tone.

is able to commence

Replaces "may" with "is able to" for a stronger sense of permission or capability.

is permitted to start

Emphasizes permission to begin something.

is liable to begin

Indicates probability rather than possibility.

is scheduled to start

Suggests a planned commencement.

is set to commence

Indicates a firm plan to begin.

FAQs

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

"May begin" indicates a possibility or permission for something to start. For instance, "The meeting "may begin" once all attendees are present" suggests the meeting will start if a condition is met.

What are some alternatives to "may begin"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "might start", "could commence", or "is likely to begin" to convey similar meanings.

Is there a difference between "may begin" and "will begin"?

"May begin" implies a possibility or permission, while "will begin" indicates a definite future action. "The session "may begin" soon" suggests uncertainty, whereas "The session "will begin" at 2 PM" confirms a set start time.

When should I use "might begin" instead of "may begin"?

"Might begin" and "may begin" are often interchangeable, but "might" can suggest a slightly lower probability. You might choose "might begin" if the commencement is less certain than if you used ""may begin"".