may have begun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may have begun" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility that something started in the past but is not confirmed. Example: "The project may have begun earlier than we initially thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Modern clinical research may have begun on the 20th of May, 1747, aboard the HMS Salisbury.

SEP

The opening manoeuvres may have begun.

The Guardian

They may have begun for me that afternoon.

The New York Times - Magazine

The rebellion against such gender apartheid may have begun.

The New York Times

The Robin Hood trap ReprintsIt may have begun sooner.

The Economist

THE administration's tone may have begun to shift slightly.

The New York Times

The big brain story may have begun in the trees.

The Guardian

That syndrome may have begun with Mr. Estrada's withdrawal.

The New York Times

"He may have begun to believe his own rhetoric," says a seasoned diplomat.

The Economist

Of the young marginal basins, only the Sea of Japan may have begun closing again.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The agony may have begun to abate, but there is no hint yet of ecstasy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may have begun" to indicate a tentative or uncertain start to an event or process, providing a sense of possibility without definitive confirmation. For example, "The investigation into the matter may have begun earlier than initially reported."

Common error

Avoid using "may have begun" excessively in close proximity, as it can make your writing sound repetitive and less confident. Vary your language with synonyms like "might have started" or "could have commenced" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may have begun" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase, indicating a tentative or hypothetical start to an action or state. It combines the modal verb 'may' with the perfective aspect ('have begun') to express possibility in the past. Ludwig AI shows that it is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may have begun" is a versatile auxiliary verb phrase used to express the possibility that an event or process has started. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, consider synonyms like "might have started" or "could have commenced" to add variety. Be mindful of overuse, and always ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of suggesting a tentative or uncertain start. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a valuable tool for expressing speculation or conjecture in a wide range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have started

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating a similar level of possibility but potentially a slightly lower degree of certainty.

could have started

A more casual alternative, replacing "may" with "could" and "begun" with "started".

could have commenced

Substitutes "may" with "could", suggesting possibility, and "begun" with "commenced", adding a touch of formality.

might have initiated

Replaces "begun" with "initiated", emphasizing the start of something more formally or deliberately.

may have commenced

Retains the "may have" structure but uses the more formal "commenced" instead of "begun".

might have commenced

Combines the uncertainty of "might" with the formality of "commenced".

potentially started

Similar to "possibly started" but emphasizes the potential or likelihood of the beginning.

possibly started

Simplifies the phrase by removing the auxiliary verbs, resulting in a more direct statement of possibility.

perhaps initiated

Indicates a suggestion of possibility with a slightly lighter tone.

conceivably started

Suggests that something is within the realm of possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "may have begun" in a sentence?

Use "may have begun" to suggest a possible start to an action or event. For example: "The renovations "may have begun" without the necessary permits."

What are some alternatives to using "may have begun"?

You can use alternatives such as "might have started", "could have commenced", or "possibly started" depending on the context and the level of formality.

Is it correct to say "might have began" instead of "may have begun"?

No, "might have began" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "might have begun" where "begun" is the past participle of "begin".

What's the difference between "may have begun" and "has begun"?

"May have begun" indicates a possibility or uncertainty about the start of something, while "has begun" states a fact that something has started. For example, "The meeting "may have begun" already" suggests uncertainty, while "The meeting has begun" confirms it.