may begin to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may begin to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the possibility of starting an action or process in the future. Example: "The team may begin to implement the new strategy next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That may begin to change.

The Economist

Confusions may begin to lift.

The New York Times - Arts

Wariness may begin to ebb.

The New York Times - Arts

Weight gain may begin to show.

The New York Times

Now that may begin to change.

The New York Times

You may begin to see foreigners as human.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he knows that his appeal may begin to erode.

The New York Times - Arts

The commanders may begin to behave with less abandon.

The Guardian

Later, the hair may begin to fall out.

The Guardian

A reader may begin to suspect the reason.

The New York Times - Books

"Malls may begin to take on more community functions".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may begin to" to express a tentative start or initial phase of an action or process, allowing for the possibility of continuation or change. This is particularly useful when discussing future trends or uncertain developments.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of modal verbs like "may", "might", and "could" in the same sentence. Overusing tentative language can make your writing sound weak and indecisive. Instead of saying "It may begin to seem like things might change", try "Changes may begin to occur".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may begin to" primarily functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a possibility or potentiality for an action or state to commence. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts to express uncertainty about future developments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that the phrase "may begin to" is a versatile modal construction used to express the potential start of an action or process. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically correct and particularly common in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. Its function is to convey uncertainty or possibility, differentiating it from more assertive phrases like "will begin to". When using "may begin to", it's important to avoid overuse of tentative language and to consider the specific context to ensure the intended degree of certainty is communicated effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might commence to

Emphasizes a more formal start or initiation of an action.

may be about to

Indicates an imminent start of an action.

could start to

Indicates a potential initiation with less certainty.

may get around to

Suggests a possible initiation, often implying a delay or postponement.

could be starting to

Highlights the potential beginning as an ongoing process.

might go on to

Implies a progression to a subsequent action or state.

may be on the verge of

Indicates a state of being close to beginning something.

might be inclined to

Suggests a tendency or predisposition to start an action.

could be ready to

Suggests a state of preparedness or readiness to start.

might set about to

Implies a deliberate and planned initiation of an action.

FAQs

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

The phrase "may begin to" indicates a possible start of an action or process. For example, "The economy "may begin to recover" next year" suggests a potential recovery.

What are some alternatives to "may begin to"?

Alternatives include "might start to", "could commence to", or "may be about to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "may began to" instead of "may begin to"?

No, "may began to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "may begin to", as "begin" is the base form of the verb following the modal verb "may".

What's the difference between "may begin to" and "will begin to"?

"May begin to" expresses uncertainty or possibility, while "will begin to" indicates a higher degree of certainty or a planned action. For example, "The project "may begin to show results" next quarter" is less certain than "The project "will begin to show results" next quarter".