may expect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may expect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility or likelihood of something happening in the future. Example: "Given the current trends, we may expect an increase in sales over the next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now, he said, they may expect too little.

The New York Times

With given inputs you may expect given outputs.

The New York Times

Kazuo Ishiguro's nickname is not Kaz, as one may expect.

The Guardian - Books

But paying clients may expect more from their professional advisers.

The New York Times - Tech

One may expect to see more cutters bowled too.

The Guardian - Sport

We may expect greater circumspection from the World Telegram hereafter.

The New Yorker

EU members may expect Scotland to join the euro.

The Guardian

But there's less room than you may expect.

The New York Times

Still, Holder may expect some friendlier questioning from Democrats.

The Washington Post

Typically, at a conversion level of 40% one may expect a C2 selectivity of 50%.

Catalysis Today

Otherwise, it is an "extrapolation case", where we may expect model errors to be greater.

Journal of Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the subject of the sentence clearly identifies who is doing the expecting. This helps to avoid ambiguity and makes the sentence more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "may expect" when a more definite expectation is warranted based on the available evidence. Overusing "may expect" when stronger phrases are appropriate can weaken your writing and make your predictions seem less reliable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may expect" functions as a modal verb construction expressing possibility or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, presenting numerous examples where it indicates what someone anticipates or predicts. It is used to soften a statement or prediction, suggesting it's not a certainty but a reasonable expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may expect" is a versatile and frequently used modal verb phrase that expresses possibility or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. The phrase functions to soften predictions, making it ideal for scenarios where certainty is not guaranteed. While widely applicable, it's crucial to consider the context and adjust the level of certainty appropriately. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science sources. For situations requiring greater certainty, consider alternatives such as "can anticipate" or "should predict".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can anticipate

Indicates a reasonable expectation based on current evidence or trends. It conveys a slightly stronger sense of confidence than "may expect".

might foresee

Implies the ability to predict or envision a future event, often based on intuition or insight. It suggests a degree of uncertainty but also a forward-looking perspective.

could predict

Suggests the possibility of forecasting an event, often using data or analysis. It emphasizes the potential for accuracy based on available information.

should anticipate

Conveys a sense of obligation or necessity to expect something, often due to prior arrangements or logical consequences. It implies a need for preparedness.

are likely to find

Indicates a high probability or likelihood of encountering something. It emphasizes the commonness or prevalence of the expected outcome.

can reasonably assume

Implies that expectation is based on logical and rational thinking. This phrase stresses logic.

is reasonable to suppose

Suggests a conjecture that relies on plausibility and logical grounds.

is inclined to believe

Implies a personal inclination towards an expectation, often based on subjective reasoning.

generally assume

Suggests a wide held belief in a population, implies the expectation comes from a norm.

commonly presume

Indicates an expectation held by many, even though it might lack substantial basis. Focuses on widespread expectations

FAQs

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

Use "may expect" to express a possibility or likelihood of something happening. For example, "Given the current data, we may expect a rise in sales."

What can I say instead of "may expect"?

You can use alternatives like "can anticipate", "might foresee", or "could predict" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may expect" or "might expect"?

Both "may expect" and "might expect" are grammatically correct and interchangeable in many contexts. "May" often suggests a slightly higher degree of possibility than "might", but the difference is subtle.

What's the difference between "may expect" and "should expect"?

"May expect" indicates a possibility or likelihood, while "should expect" suggests a stronger expectation, often based on obligation or logical consequence. "You may expect delays" suggests they are possible, while "You should expect delays" suggests they are very likely.