may come to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may come to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility or potential outcome in the future. Example: "If we continue to work hard, we may come to achieve our goals sooner than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It may come to that.

The New York Times

I may come to hate it.

The New Yorker

These kids may come to something.

Independent

That failing may come to haunt him.

The Economist

This decision may come to haunt him.

The Economist

"Death may come to me," he said.

The New Yorker

That may come to pass here".

The New Yorker

It yet may come to pass.

The Guardian

The effort may come to haunt him.

The New York Times - Arts

Others may come to read a book".

The Guardian

Things may come to a head sooner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may come to" to express a future possibility or a gradual change that might occur. This phrase is appropriate for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "may come to" excessively in overly complex sentences, as it can make the sentence sound convoluted. Simplify the sentence or use a more direct verb to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may come to" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or potential future development. It suggests that a particular state or outcome is likely to occur, but not certain. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may come to" is a versatile and commonly used modal verb phrase that expresses possibility or potential future development. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic writing. While alternatives like "might lead to" or "could result in" exist, "may come to" specifically implies a gradual change or eventual realization. Remember to avoid overuse in complex sentences to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might lead to

Replaces "may come to" with a more direct indication of causation or consequence.

could result in

Similar to "might lead to", emphasizing the potential outcome of a situation.

might develop into

Suggests a gradual process of change or evolution.

could transform into

Implies a more significant or dramatic change.

may evolve into

Similar to "might develop into" but with a focus on natural progression.

might eventually be

Highlights the possibility of something happening at a later time.

could potentially become

Emphasizes the possibility of something turning into something else.

may prove to be

Focuses on the potential for something to be revealed or demonstrated in the future.

might turn out to be

Suggests an unexpected or surprising outcome.

could materialize as

Implies that something abstract may become concrete or real.

FAQs

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

You can use "may come to" to express a possible future outcome or a gradual change. For example, "If we continue this project, we "may come to" understand the underlying issues better."

What are some alternatives to "may come to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might lead to", "could result in", or "may evolve into", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is there a difference in formality between "may come to" and its alternatives?

"May come to" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, phrases like "could potentially become" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

When is it best to use "may come to" over other similar phrases?

Use "may come to" when you want to emphasize a possible future state that is the result of a process or development. It implies a sense of gradual change or eventual realization, which may be absent in alternatives like "might lead to".