may ever

USAGE SUMMARY

'may ever' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate possibility in a question, such as "What may ever come of this?" or to emphasize a wish or hope, such as "May ever good things come your way".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No trials may ever be held.

The Economist

It may ever be thus.

The Guardian

No one may ever know, exactly.

The New York Times

No country may ever regain that level of dominance.

The New York Times - Sports

Nothing about it may ever be so clear again.

The New Yorker

You see places that no one else may ever see.

The New York Times

For others, no placement outside the institution may ever be appropriate.

Cornell University

But he does have a record no one may ever match.

The New York Times - Sports

And all you may ever need is the fine chocolate tart.

The New York Times - Food

Here are the best dumplings you may ever eat outside of China, five for $1.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I have been 0-for-the-First-Saturday-in-May ever since.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When used in questions, "may ever" can convey a sense of rhetorical questioning about the likelihood of an event occurring. For example, "What may ever be the solution to this complex issue?"

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of "may ever" can make your writing sound overly dramatic or sentimental. Consider using simpler alternatives like "might" or "could" in more formal or professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may ever" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or potential that extends indefinitely into the future. It serves to express uncertainty or a low probability of an event occurring, as Ludwig's examples show.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may ever" serves as a modal verb phrase to express possibility or emphasis. Grammatically correct, it's very common in News & Media, Academic and Science contexts. Ludwig AI indicates it's useful for expressing wishes, possibility or hope. Related phrases include alternatives like "might possibly" or "could at any time". While its source quality is high, avoid overuse in formal writing to prevent sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might possibly

This alternative replaces "ever" with "possibly", adding a slightly different shade of possibility.

could possibly

Similar to "might possibly", this option reinforces the sense of possibility.

might conceivably

Using "conceivably" introduces a notion of something being imaginable or believable.

may at some point

This alternative is a temporal phrase, suggesting the event might occur at an unspecified time.

may perhaps

Using "perhaps" softens the statement, indicating a higher degree of uncertainty.

could at any time

This option offers a temporal alternative with 'at any time', emphasizing duration.

might in the future

This phrase focuses on the future aspect of the possibility.

can potentially

This alternative focuses on potential, suggesting an inherent ability for something to happen.

can at all times

Using "at all times" indicates something can happen constantly or repeatedly.

might actually

By adding "actually" you introduce the fact that something may be real/unreal.

FAQs

How can I use "may ever" in a sentence?

You can use "may ever" to express a possibility or emphasize a duration, such as in the sentence, "No one "may ever know" what really happened."

What does "may ever" emphasize in a sentence?

The phrase "may ever" often emphasizes the uncertainty or the length of time involved, suggesting that something is unlikely or that its effects could be lasting.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "may ever"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might possibly", "could at any time", or "might conceivably", each with a slightly different nuance.

Is there a difference in formality between "may ever" and "might possibly"?

"May ever" tends to be slightly more emphatic and can sometimes sound more dramatic or literary, while "might possibly" is generally more neutral and common in everyday speech.