may better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may better" is not a standard use of English, so it is not correct.
Instead, you could use a phrase like "may be better". For example, "I think this solution may be better than the other options."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The latter may better explain her motives than the former.

The New York Times - Books

An HIV-1 RNA assay may better detect such infections.

Journal of Clinical Virology

In short, the proposed approach may better guide shale gas development practices.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

That may better suit Dayne's abilities and allow him to find a rhythm.

The New York Times - Sports

An agent who has worked with other Americans may better understand your concerns, questions and expectations.

The New York Times - Travel

Now he appears a generous and confident captain, which may better serve England's purposes.

The Guardian - Opinion

But while knowing chronology is important, students may better remember facts learned in an inquiry.

The New York Times

And then one may better see where the new balance lies between democracy and authoritarianism.

The New York Times

Future experimental work using pharmacological autonomic blockade may better characterize this relationship.

Nature

Selavy," one may better understand what Fore man is talking about.

The New York Times

In the long run, this may better serve the interests of young adults and juveniles alike.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity, consider rephrasing the sentence. Instead of "This strategy may better serve our needs", try "This strategy might better serve our needs" or "This strategy may improve our efficiency".

Common error

A common mistake is directly pairing modal verbs like "may", "might", or "could" with comparative adverbs like "better". Instead, use a linking verb such as "be" to correctly structure the sentence, for example, "This approach may be better".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may better" functions as a modal construction intended to express a possibility or suggestion of improvement. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not grammatically correct. The intended function is to suggest that something could potentially be improved or more effective, but the phrasing is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "may better" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended function is to suggest potential improvements, and it is found predominantly in scientific, news, and academic contexts. However, alternatives like "might improve" or ""may be better"" are recommended for grammatical accuracy and clarity. To maintain professionalism and precision in writing, particularly in formal settings, it is best to avoid "may better" and opt for these more conventional and correct alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might improve

Replaces "may better" with a more grammatically sound construction using "might" to indicate possibility and "improve" to denote enhancement.

could enhance

Substitutes "may better" with "could enhance", indicating a potential positive impact or improvement in a given situation.

may be superior

Emphasizes the potential for one option to be better than another, focusing on the comparative aspect.

might be preferable

Suggests a stronger inclination towards one choice over another, highlighting its potential advantages.

could potentially optimize

Focuses on the idea of maximizing efficiency or effectiveness through a particular action.

may well be more effective

Emphasizes a strong likelihood of increased effectiveness compared to other options.

might more effectively

Highlights the enhanced effectiveness that could result from a particular approach or method.

could lead to greater

Shifts the focus to the potential outcomes or benefits that could arise from a particular course of action.

may result in improved

Emphasizes the potential for achieving improvements or advancements through a specific action or strategy.

might offer a better

Focuses on the potential for providing a superior alternative or solution compared to existing options.

FAQs

Is "may better" grammatically correct?

No, "may better" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "may be better" or using alternative phrasings like "might improve".

What are some alternatives to "may better"?

Alternatives include "might improve", "could enhance", or "may be superior", depending on the intended meaning.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "may better" to be more grammatically sound?

Instead of "This strategy may better serve our needs", try "This strategy might serve our needs better" or "This strategy may improve how we meet our needs".

What's the difference between "may better" and "may be better"?

"May better" is grammatically incorrect and not recommended. "May be better" is the correct phrasing, indicating a possibility of improvement or superiority. For example, "This option "may be better" than the other one".