may certainly be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may certainly be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong possibility or likelihood of something being true or valid. Example: "The results of the experiment may certainly be influenced by external factors that were not accounted for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It may certainly be said that puppet theatre has everywhere antedated written drama and, indeed, writing of any kind.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The rest of the world may certainly be aware of his ability, but these Olympic Games could serve as his global coming-out party.

The New York Times - Sports

But it may certainly be that many who would hesitate to spend two guineas on their company might be happy to curl up in an armchair with the guide for half a crown".

The Guardian - Books

While it may certainly be time to find a cheaper version of Scotland Yard, the idea of the police having counter space inside the local post office seems incongruous with the other cost-saving plans.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rarely have I read an interpretation as strange as Graham Fuller's assertion that "Unforgiven" may "certainly be construed as a justification of necessary violence" ["Sending Out a Search Party for the Western," March 5].

The New York Times

While the election of Hamas may certainly be a mistake for Palestinians, the United States government hypocritically undermines processes and destabilizes the entire region by tampering with outcomes and manipulating governments.

The New York Times

A LTHOUGH "Unforgiven" was probably not intended as an allegory of America's righteous war against Saddam Hussein in 1991, it may certainly be construed as a justification of necessary violence, however elegiacally framed.

The New York Times

While that may certainly be true for some dinosaurs -- Tyrannosaurus rex comes to mind -- a new study of Allosaurus fragilis, an earlier cousin of T. rex, by a researcher at the University of Cambridge and colleagues, shows that it probably took a different approach.

The New York Times - Science

Religious belief or practice may certainly be a motivator for the person who provides a social service, as long as that worker does not try to sell religion to vulnerable people who are in need of food or a bed for the night.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

While the data available suggest that this may certainly well be the case, further research will be needed to confidently answer this question.

BMC Genomics

So we may have certainly been sold out by her.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may certainly be" to express a strong possibility without making an absolute claim. This is particularly useful in academic or professional writing where precision and caution are valued.

Common error

Avoid using "may certainly be" when the evidence strongly suggests something is definitively true. In such cases, opt for more assertive language to maintain credibility and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may certainly be" functions as a modal expression indicating a strong degree of possibility or likelihood. It suggests that something is quite probable, but without asserting it as a definite fact. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may certainly be" is a versatile phrase used to express a strong possibility or likelihood. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is considered grammatically sound. It appears frequently in news, science, and wiki articles, indicating its broad applicability. When writing, use "may certainly be" to indicate a strong possibility without stating it as a fact. It's more suited to formal contexts than casual conversation and remember to consider alternatives like "could definitely be" or "might very well be" depending on the precise shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could definitely be

Replaces "may" with "could" and "certainly" with "definitely", slightly altering the level of confidence.

might very well be

Substitutes "may certainly" with "might very well", suggesting a strong possibility.

could easily be

Replaces "may certainly" with "could easily", indicating the ease or likelihood of something.

might indeed be

Replaces "may certainly" with "might indeed", suggesting truth or validity.

is very likely to be

Changes the structure to use "is very likely", which expresses a high probability.

is highly probable that

Uses a more formal structure expressing a high degree of probability.

can confidently be

Suggests that it's possible to assert something with confidence.

is almost certainly

Expresses a very high degree of confidence, close to certainty.

can reasonably be

Suggests that there is a good reason or basis for something to be true.

may plausibly be

Replaces "certainly" with "plausibly", indicating credibility or believability.

FAQs

How can I use "may certainly be" in a sentence?

Use "may certainly be" to express a strong possibility or likelihood. For example, "The delay "may certainly be" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What phrases are similar to "may certainly be"?

Similar phrases include "could definitely be", "might very well be", or "is very likely to be", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "may certainly be" too formal for casual conversation?

While not overly formal, "may certainly be" is more suited to professional or academic contexts. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "could be" or "might be" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "may certainly be" and "is certainly"?

"May certainly be" indicates a strong possibility but acknowledges some uncertainty. "Is certainly" asserts something as a definite fact, leaving no room for doubt. Choose based on the level of evidence available.