may have broken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may have broken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express uncertainty about whether something has occurred in the past, often in contexts involving speculation or possibility. Example: "The vase may have broken during the move, but I can't be sure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It may have broken the law.

The New York Times

Unwittingly, the enchanter may have broken his own spell.

The New Yorker

"BBC may have broken Trade Descriptions Act over Archers.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Through your partisan action, you may have broken the law".

The Guardian

Now the puppet may have broken loose from the puppeteers.

The Guardian

He may have broken his silence, but he is not about to pour out his heart.

Independent

The fight may have broken out over an alleged breach of climbing etiquette.

Independent

The patient may have broken a hip or had a stroke and now needs rehabilitative care.

The New York Times - Health

Instead, the debris may have broken up under the pressures of flight.

The New York Times

It's now understood that Vote Leave may have broken electoral law, by violating campaign spending limits.

The Guardian - Opinion

That may have broken the spell, that Woods would lose to anyone in his supporting cast.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may have broken", ensure the context clearly indicates the uncertainty or possibility you wish to convey. It's often used when discussing potential rule violations, physical damage, or disruptions where definitive proof is lacking.

Common error

Avoid using "may have broken" excessively in formal reports or legal documents when stronger, more definitive language is needed. If evidence supports a conclusion, use "likely violated" or "demonstrated a breach" instead of weaker phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may have broken" functions as a modal verb construction expressing possibility or speculation about a past event. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is commonly used. For example, "The vase may have broken during the move", or "The company may have broken the law."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may have broken" is a modal verb phrase used to express the possibility of a past action, often in situations involving uncertainty or a lack of concrete evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and sees frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's adaptable to different registers, avoid overuse in formal writing where more definitive language is warranted. Consider alternatives like "might have violated" or "could have damaged" for nuanced variations. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively incorporate "may have broken" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have fractured

Replaces "broken" with "fractured", often used for physical damage like bones or relationships.

could have violated

Substitutes "broken" with "violated", emphasizing a breach of rules or laws.

possibly shattered

Replaces "broken" with "shattered", suggesting a more forceful or complete break.

potentially damaged

Uses "damaged" instead of "broken", indicating harm but not necessarily complete breakage.

conceivably breached

Employs "breached" for "broken", often used in the context of security or agreements.

perhaps disrupted

Replaces "broken" with "disrupted", focusing on the interruption of a process or system.

might have transgressed

Substitutes "broken" with "transgressed", implying a violation of moral or ethical boundaries.

may have infringed

Uses "infringed" in place of "broken", often used in legal contexts like copyright or patents.

possibly impaired

Replaces "broken" with "impaired", indicating a weakening or lessening of function.

could have compromised

Employs "compromised" for "broken", suggesting a weakening of security or integrity.

FAQs

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

You can use "may have broken" to express uncertainty about a past action or event, such as "The company "may have broken" the terms of the agreement" or "He "may have broken" his arm during the game".

What are some alternatives to "may have broken"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "might have violated", "could have damaged", or "possibly shattered" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is it better to say "may have broken" or "might have broken"?

"May have broken" and "might have broken" are often interchangeable and convey similar levels of possibility. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context.

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

"May have broken" implies uncertainty or possibility, while "has broken" indicates a definite, confirmed action. For example, "He "may have broken" the record" suggests it's unconfirmed, whereas "He has broken the record" confirms it.