may definitely be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may definitely be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong possibility or certainty about something in a formal context. Example: "The results of the experiment may definitely be indicative of a new trend in the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Others — in this case even interstate commerce — may definitely be affected by that inaction.

The New York Times

CAM-ICU may definitely be one of them.

Critical Care

Although applying the internationally recognised CDC criteria may definitely be considered a strength as it ensures the quality and uniformity of included studies, this criterion limited the number of hospital-acquired UTI studies included in our systematic review.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Avoiding hypoglycemia may definitely be "safe", but advocating a target similar to the control group of the two trials has definitely not been shown to be "effective" in improving outcome.

Critical Care

There may definitely be value tout court for those who have commercial interests in patentable remedies, since the vast majority of living human beings, and soon our pets, will be labeled as suffering from MS. Returning to Pasquali's review, the effects of stress on MS are also described.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It may not definitely be a Portaloo.

The Guardian

Does he know something we don't, that the coalition is preparing to give the NHS what may not be called, but will definitely be, a bailout, before the end of the year?

The Guardian

We still might be able to go, but it may be unsafe, and there will definitely be high security and limited access.

The Guardian - Travel

That's because it's about the places that are likely to tempt you into spending money on things you may not necessarily need, but could definitely be persuaded to want.

The New York Times - Arts

For higher molecular weight polymers, due to higher degree of polymerization, the polymer units will be larger, i.e., their hydrodynamic volumes will definitely be greater that may be the reason of their higher VI values.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

The companies who provide these APIs may not disappear, but it will definitely be a game-changer.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may definitely be" to express a strong possibility, especially when you want to sound both cautious and confident in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "may definitely be" when you possess concrete evidence. Stronger phrases like "is certainly" or "is undoubtedly" are more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may definitely be" functions as a modal phrase to express a strong possibility or likelihood. Ludwig confirms its usability and correctness in formal contexts. It combines the uncertainty of "may" with the emphasis of "definitely".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may definitely be" serves as a useful tool to express a strong possibility with a hint of caution. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most frequently appears in science and news contexts. While alternatives such as "could certainly be" or "might very well be" exist to convey similar meanings, "may definitely be" provides a unique balance of uncertainty and emphasis. Remember to avoid overstating certainty and consider stronger phrases when concrete evidence is available. Use "may definitely be" when precision and cautious confidence are needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could certainly be

Replaces 'may' with 'could' to indicate possibility and 'definitely' with 'certainly' for emphasis.

might very well be

Substitutes 'may definitely' with 'might very well' to convey a strong likelihood.

is highly likely to be

Replaces the modal phrase with a direct statement of high probability.

is almost certainly

Expresses near certainty, stronger than "may definitely be".

can assuredly be

Uses 'can' to denote possibility and 'assuredly' for emphasis on confidence.

is quite possibly

Replaces definite with 'quite possibly', indicating a reasonable chance.

is undoubtedly

Expresses strong certainty, removing any sense of possibility.

is probably the case

Conveys probability without the modal verb.

is reasonably expected to be

Indicates an expectation based on reasonable grounds.

is conceivably

Highlights that something is within the realm of possibility.

FAQs

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

Use "may definitely be" to express a strong likelihood or possibility. For instance, "The new policy "may definitely be" beneficial for the company's growth".

What are some alternatives to "may definitely be"?

You can use alternatives such as "could certainly be", "might very well be", or "is highly likely to be", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to use "may" and "definitely" together?

While some may perceive it as slightly redundant, using "may definitely be" emphasizes a strong degree of possibility, making it a valid choice when you want to strike a balance between caution and confidence.

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

"May be" indicates a simple possibility, while "may definitely be" suggests a stronger likelihood. The addition of "definitely" reinforces the potential for something to occur or be true.