may have forfeited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may have forfeited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility that someone has lost a right, privilege, or opportunity due to their actions or inactions. Example: "Due to his failure to meet the deadline, he may have forfeited his chance to participate in the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Others may have forfeited something as well.

The New York Times

Mr Santorum may have forfeited as many as 18 of Ohio's 66 delegates before a single vote was cast by failing to compile the proper paperwork.

The Economist

In its haste to complete these deals, the White House may have forfeited leverage it needs to nudge both governments toward less destructive policies.

The New York Times

In the process, the state may have forfeited revenues worth a staggering 176,000 "crore" rupees (a crore is 10m: almost $40 billion in all), to judge by their resale value and by the sums raised by the auction of 3G airwaves.In this section Ignore us at your peril Rotten to the crore?

The Economist

If the setting aside of good judgment is sought, there is nothing to stop a person albeit with a heavy heart from questioning whether the object of loyalty may have forfeited claims to it.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Someone who conducts business in front of an open living room window, for example, may be deemed to have forfeited any reasonable expectation of privacy.

The New York Times

For the time being, the Democrats have forfeited the political issues that may work to their advantage.

The New York Times

For motivation, Testaverde thinks the Jets may use the fact that most observers believe they have forfeited their chance at a title by trading Johnson.

The New York Times - Sports

In the first, he inveighed, "If you have abandoned your children and your religion, God forgive your wickedness; if you have forfeited your fame and your country, may your folly do no further mischief".

The New Yorker

Five have forfeited games.

The New York Times - Sports

A university with its priorities straight would have forfeited.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may have forfeited" when you want to express the possibility that a right, privilege, or advantage has been lost due to a specific action or inaction. Be clear about what was forfeited and why.

Common error

Avoid using "may have forfeited" without clearly specifying what has been lost and the reason behind it. For example, instead of saying "He may have forfeited", specify "He may have forfeited his right to appeal due to missing the deadline."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may have forfeited" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a possibility or a degree of uncertainty regarding the loss of something. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts where outcomes are not yet definitively determined.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may have forfeited" is a modal verb phrase indicating the possibility of a loss of a right, privilege, or opportunity. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "might have lost" or "could have relinquished" exist, "may have forfeited" provides a nuanced way to express potential consequences. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify what has been forfeited and the reason behind it. While the frequency of the phrase is uncommon, authoritative sources employ it effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have lost

Replaces "forfeited" with a more general term for losing something, implying a potential loss.

could have relinquished

Substitutes "forfeited" with "relinquished", suggesting a voluntary surrender of something.

might have surrendered

Replaces "forfeited" with "surrendered", indicating a yielding of a right or possession.

may have given up

Uses a more informal phrasal verb to convey the idea of abandoning a claim or right.

could have sacrificed

Suggests that something was lost as a result of a necessary compromise or decision.

might have waived

Replaces "forfeited" with "waived", indicating a voluntary relinquishment of a right or claim.

may have abdicated

Substitutes "forfeited" with "abdicated", implying a formal renunciation of power or responsibility.

could have defaulted on

Focuses on the failure to meet an obligation, leading to a loss of something.

might have negated

Replaces "forfeited" with "negated", suggesting that an action has nullified a previous advantage.

may have nullified

Uses a formal verb to indicate that something has been rendered invalid or without effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "may have forfeited" to express the possibility that someone has lost a right or privilege. For example: "Due to his misconduct, he "might have forfeited" his position".

What can I say instead of "may have forfeited"?

You can use alternatives like "might have lost", "could have relinquished", or "might have surrendered" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may have forfeited" or "might have forfeited"?

Both "may have forfeited" and "might have forfeited" are grammatically correct and express a similar meaning. "May" suggests a slightly higher probability than "might", but the difference is often negligible.

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

"May have forfeited" indicates a possibility or uncertainty about whether something has been lost, while "has forfeited" states a definite fact that something has indeed been lost. The first expresses doubt, while the second expresses certainty.