may equally be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may equally be" is correct and can be used in written English in certain situations.
An example sentence could be: "The new software may equally be used for both personal and business use."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But while that chilly sensation is a sign of terror, it may equally be a symptom of delight.

The New York Times

"But while that chilly sensation is a sign of terror, it may equally be a symptom of delight," Mr. Scott added.

The New York Times - Arts

While our emotions and sympathies are sometimes pleasurable, this is by no means their essential feature; they may equally be painful or neutral.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It may equally be noted that there were eight players of 23 or under in Germany's squad for Wednesday night's game against Finland who did not make it to the Olympics.

The Guardian - Sport

A suicide attack on one of the United Nations compounds would probably see a mass evacuation of UN staff from Kabul.In this section Closing ranks The silver screen of peace Dialogue of the deaf A question of resolve Waiting to be rich An echo of terrorism A suitable price ReprintsBut the bombing may equally be a sign of al-Qaeda's weakness.

The Economist

Conventionally this criterion is social need, but it may equally be one concerned with notions of desert, rights or entitlement.

Crime Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

However, it may equally not be advantageous to have these genes regulated in this way.

BMC Plant Biology

She faces being buried alive for ignoring Creon's ruling.Questions at the heart of "Antigone"—can kinship exist without the support and mediation of the state, and can a state exist without the family as its support may equally be asked of Syria.

The Economist

Indeed, he argues, Turing's death may equally probably have been an accident.

BBC

I may equally say he may not be re-elected.

The Guardian

However, the nature of the response may be equally as important as the magnitude of response.

Cell Communication and Signaling

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may equally be" to present alternative explanations or possibilities with equal weight. This shows balanced consideration and avoids bias.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "may equally be" in simple constructions. This can make your writing repetitive. Instead, try restructuring sentences to vary your language and enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may equally be" functions as a modal verb phrase that introduces a possibility or an alternative explanation. It indicates that the suggested alternative is just as likely as the initial proposition. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment, highlighting its role in presenting balanced options.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may equally be" is a versatile phrase used to introduce alternative possibilities or explanations with equal weight. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, remember to use this phrase to present balanced viewpoints and avoid overuse in simple constructions to maintain clarity and engagement. Consider alternatives like "is equally likely" or "could also be" to vary your language. This review covers key aspects, providing writers with best practices and highlighting common errors to avoid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is equally likely

Highlights the equal likelihood of an alternative.

is just as likely

Uses 'just as likely' to reinforce the equal chance of something else.

could also be

Substitutes 'may' with 'could', suggesting a possibility that's often slightly less certain.

might also be

Replaces 'may' with 'might', presenting a similar level of possibility.

can also be

Changes 'may' to 'can', indicating potential rather than just possibility.

is also possible

Restructures the phrase to emphasize possibility directly.

is an equivalent option

Stresses that something is an equivalent substitute.

is a valid alternative

Shifts the focus to the validity of another option.

represents another possibility

Focuses on presenting another potential scenario.

is another potential outcome

Emphasizes the aspect of alternative outcomes.

FAQs

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

The phrase "may equally be" is used to indicate that there's another possibility or explanation that's just as likely. For example: "While the symptoms suggest a viral infection, they "may equally be" due to allergies."

What's a more formal alternative to "may equally be"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "is equally probable" or "is an equally valid alternative". These options maintain the meaning while increasing formality.

Which is correct: "may equally be" or "might equally be"?

Both "may equally be" and "might equally be" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "May" often suggests a slightly higher degree of possibility, but the difference is minimal.

What can I say instead of "may equally be" if I want to emphasize a different degree of likelihood?

If you want to suggest a higher probability, use "is more likely". If you want to suggest a lower probability, use "is less likely" or "is unlikely". You can also use "is also possible" for a neutral alternative.