may exactly be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'may exactly be' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express the idea of an exactness or specificity of something. For example: "The location of the restaurant may exactly be where I had my first date with my partner."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That, actually, may exactly be the point.

The Guardian - Sport

For pinned-pinned, pinned-sliding and sliding-sliding beams, this variation may exactly be expressed as Ω− = √1 + U−.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Therefore, Sozou's assumption B may exactly be true only when k p = 1.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Laughter may not exactly be the best medicine.

The New York Times

For assorted reasons, however, friends may not exactly be captivated by the prospect.

The New York Times

HE may not exactly be a farm boy, but he did grow up in the Wisconsin countryside.

The New York Times

And while they may not exactly be "political art," they don't read as Pop jokes, either.

The New York Times - Arts

However, earlier works have showed that the coefficients may not exactly be modeled by using a normal PDF.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

While the underbelly of Antarctica may not exactly be teeming with life, it certainly supports viable ecosystems.

BBC

It may not exactly be what Manitobans voted for.

Vice

As such, cartwheels may not exactly be called for.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may exactly be" to express a sense of precision and possibility, especially when emphasizing a specific detail or characteristic that could be true. For instance, "The solution to the problem may exactly be in the overlooked data point."

Common error

Avoid overuse of "exactly" when "may be" already conveys uncertainty. Saying "may exactly be" too often can make your writing sound repetitive or overly emphatic. Consider simpler alternatives like "might be" or "could be" for smoother prose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may exactly be" functions as a modal phrase expressing a possibility with a degree of precision or exactness. "May" indicates possibility, while "exactly" emphasizes a specific aspect. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may exactly be" is grammatically correct, albeit not frequently used. According to Ludwig, it expresses a possibility with a notable degree of precision. It is suitable for both news and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with a context where specifying a precise possibility is essential. Consider related phrases for greater variation in your writing. This is to avoid an over-usage of the same phrase. While grammatically sound, remember that clarity and conciseness should always be prioritized in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might precisely be

Replaces "may" with "might" (another possibility modal verb) and "exactly" with "precisely" (synonym), with minimal change in meaning.

could accurately be

Substitutes "may" with "could" (another modal verb indicating possibility) and "exactly" with "accurately," focusing on accuracy.

may in fact be

Emphasizes the truth or reality of the possibility using "in fact".

could conceivably be

Replaces "may" with "could" (another modal verb indicating possibility) and "exactly" with "conceivably," focusing on what is imaginable or possible.

could genuinely be

Replaces "may" with "could" (another modal verb indicating possibility) and "exactly" with "genuinely", focusing on the authenticity.

might just be

Simplifies "may exactly be" to a more casual form, focusing on the possibility.

may well be

Expresses a strong possibility or likelihood.

may actually be

Emphasizes that something is unexpectedly true.

possibly be

Uses "possibly" to indicate a chance or likelihood.

might turn out to be

Suggests a potential outcome or discovery.

FAQs

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

The phrase "may exactly be" is used to express a possibility with a degree of precision. For example, "The missing piece may exactly be what we need to complete the puzzle."

What phrases are similar to "may exactly be"?

Alternatives include "might precisely be", "could accurately be", or "may in fact be", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "may exactly be" and "may be"?

"May exactly be" emphasizes a specific precision or detail that is potentially accurate, whereas "may be" expresses a general possibility without the emphasis on exactness.

When is it appropriate to use "may exactly be" in writing?

Use "may exactly be" when you want to highlight a specific possibility or precise detail that could be true, especially in contexts where accuracy is important. For example in "Science".