may change their

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may change their" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of someone or something altering or modifying something belonging to them. Example: "Students may change their course selections during the add/drop period."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Changing their duties may change their mindset.

Huffington Post

Soon they may change their minds.

The Economist

They may change their occupation.

The New York Times

This summer may change their minds.

The Guardian - Music

It is all around them, and may change their lives.

The Guardian - Books

But the legal threats against MP3 may change their minds.

The Guardian - Tech

Their faces may change, their breathing appear to stop.

The New York Times - Health

But one in four Labour supporters may change their mind.

Independent

Larger companies may change their ways as consumers start demanding better, more sustainably produced fabrics.

The Guardian

This means many designers may change their approach just to suit that market.

The Guardian - Business

"They may change their minds and crush me some day," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may change their", ensure that the context clearly indicates what "their" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify "students may change their majors" rather than simply "they may change their minds" if the subject is students' majors.

Common error

Avoid using "may change their" excessively in speculative scenarios without sufficient evidence. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing sound indecisive and weaken the impact of your arguments. Provide context or reasoning to support potential changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may change their" functions as a modal phrase indicating possibility or potential alteration. It suggests that an action is not definite but remains a plausible option. Ludwig examples showcase this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may change their" is a versatile phrase used to express the possibility of alteration or modification. It is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various domains, including news, science, and academia. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples demonstrating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, clarity and context are key to avoid ambiguity. While suitable for general use, avoid overuse in speculative contexts to maintain the strength of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might alter their

Replaces "may" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability of change.

could modify their

Substitutes "change" with "modify", implying a more specific or controlled alteration.

might adjust their

Uses "adjust" instead of "change", suggesting a minor alteration to adapt to new circumstances.

may revise their

Replaces "change" with "revise", implying a more formal or considered alteration.

may rethink their

Substitutes "change" with "rethink", focusing on the cognitive process of reconsidering a decision.

may transform their

Uses "transform" instead of "change", suggesting a more significant or fundamental alteration.

may adapt their

Implies that the alteration is made to better suit their needs to a specific situation.

may switch their

Suggests an interchangeable replacement.

are likely to change their

Replaces "may" with "are likely to", increasing the probability of change.

might be persuaded to change their

Adds the element of persuasion, implying an external influence leading to change.

FAQs

How can I use "may change their" in a sentence?

You can use "may change their" to indicate a possibility of alteration or modification. For example, "Customers "may change their" orders before the shipping deadline".

What are some alternatives to "may change their"?

Alternatives include "might alter their", "could modify their", or "might adjust their", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "may changes their" instead of "may change their"?

No, "may changes their" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "may change their" because "may" is a modal verb that takes the base form of the verb "change".

What is the difference between "may change their" and "will change their"?

"May change their" indicates a possibility, while "will change their" indicates a higher degree of certainty or a firm intention. For example, "They "may change their" plans if the weather worsens," versus "They "will change their" plans if the weather worsens".