may fracture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may fracture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the possibility of something breaking or being damaged, often in a physical context. Example: "If the temperature drops too low, the pipes may fracture and cause a leak."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Confined layers may fracture in shear.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

A totally brittle solid may fracture suddenly (e.g., glass).

Engineering Materials 1 An Introduction to Properties, Applications and Design

States may fracture into smaller pieces, but they don't get conquered.

The New York Times

Occasionally, the ground may lose its adhesion to either the support or the paint layers, or the ground may fracture internally, resulting in cleavage and paint loss.

Britannica

Or it may fracture his own base, without much toning down the vehemence of his opposition.(Photo credit: AFP).

The Economist

In its report to the safety agency, G.M. said the car's lower-control arm may fracture and affect the steering.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Therefore, high levels of pollutants may affect reproductive success, as may fractures and deformations of the bacula and, thereby, penis".

Vice

Antiresorptive agents may reduce fracture risk by several separate but interrelated effects on these individual properties.

Mayo Clinic Proceedings

Therefore, other factors may modulate fracture risk.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Noticeably, the intervals are not sharp peaks, but the slight increase may indicate fracture probabilities.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Runners who don't heed such advice may fully fracture through the bone which could lead to bone displacement (malalignment) -- a potentially serious problem.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may fracture", consider the degree of certainty you want to convey. "May" suggests possibility, not certainty. If you want to indicate a higher probability, consider alternatives like "is likely to fracture".

Common error

Avoid using "may fracture" when evidence strongly suggests that fracturing is inevitable. In such cases, "will fracture" or "is expected to fracture" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may fracture" functions as a modal verb phrase. It combines the modal verb "may", indicating possibility, with the verb "fracture", denoting the act of breaking. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

23%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may fracture" is a grammatically sound and commonly used modal verb phrase expressing the possibility of something breaking or cracking. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct. It appears frequently in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. While "may" implies a degree of uncertainty, carefully consider whether it aligns with the intended level of certainty; alternatives like "could break" or "is likely to fracture" might be more appropriate depending on the specific situation. Using more precise language will improve clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could break

Replaces "may" with "could", indicating a slightly lower probability.

might crack

Substitutes "fracture" with "crack", suggesting a less severe form of breaking.

could potentially shatter

Replaces "fracture" with "shatter", implying a more forceful and complete breakage.

might be susceptible to breakage

Rephrases the idea to focus on susceptibility to breaking, adding length and formality.

is liable to break

Emphasizes the likelihood of breaking, using more formal language.

has the potential to crack

Focuses on the potential for cracking, similar to "might crack" but more descriptive.

may be prone to failure

Shifts from a specific type of damage to a general concept of failure.

can experience fracturing

Nominalizes fracture, making the phrase more technical and less direct.

runs the risk of splitting

Replaces "fracture" with "splitting", indicating a lengthwise break.

may undergo rupture

Substitutes "fracture" with "rupture", suggesting a sudden and violent breakage.

FAQs

How to use "may fracture" in a sentence?

Use "may fracture" to indicate a possibility of something breaking or cracking under certain conditions. For example, "If the temperature drops significantly, the pipes "may fracture"".

What can I say instead of "may fracture"?

You can use alternatives like "could break", "might crack", or "is liable to break" depending on the context and the level of certainty you want to express.

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

Both "may fracture" and "might fracture" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings, indicating a possibility of something breaking. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference, although "may" can sometimes imply a slightly higher probability than "might".

What's the difference between "may fracture" and "will fracture"?

"May fracture" suggests a possibility, while "will fracture" indicates a higher degree of certainty or predictability. Use "may fracture" when the outcome is uncertain and depends on specific conditions; use "will fracture" when the outcome is more definite.