may have their

USAGE SUMMARY

"may have their" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an individual or group has the potential to possess something. For example, "Students may have their own unique perspectives on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each one may have their own opinion.

The New York Times - Tech

Now they may have their answer.

The Economist

The fairy folk may have their payment.

The New York Times - Books

They may have their own reasons.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Drugs may have their own risks".

The New York Times - Science

Others may have their days in court.

The New York Times

They may have their work cut out.

The Guardian

Some departments may have their own form.

Cornell University

But disinfectants may have their limitations, too.

The New York Times - Science

They may have their own stories to tell.

The New York Times - Arts

Indeed, the wind sceptics may have their case backwards.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider whether a more precise synonym might improve clarity, as "may" can sometimes be ambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "may have their" repeatedly in close proximity, as it can create a sense of uncertainty and weaken your writing. Vary your language with more definitive terms or alternative expressions to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may have their" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or potential for possession or experience. As evidenced by Ludwig, this construction allows writers to express uncertainty or contingency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may have their" is a modal verb phrase used to express a possibility or potential outcome. According to Ludwig AI, this grammatically correct phrase is commonly found in various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, exhibiting a neutral register. When composing your texts, make sure not to overuse "may have their" and remember the examples here to write a clear sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might possess their

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

could have their

Uses "could" to suggest a potential or conditional possession.

potentially have their

Adds "potentially" to explicitly state the possibility of possession.

conceivably have their

Emphasizes the possibility, though perhaps unlikely, of possession.

it's possible they have their

Restructures the phrase to begin with "it's possible", changing the emphasis.

it is possible that they have their

Adds "that" to include a more formal structure.

they might be in possession of their

Uses "be in possession of" to specify the state of having something.

they could be the owners of their

Uses "be the owners of" instead of possess.

they perhaps hold their

Uses "hold" as a synonym for possess, implying temporary possession.

they possibly maintain their

Implies possession through "maintain", suggesting ongoing control or upkeep.

FAQs

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

"May have their" indicates a possibility. For example: "Employees "may have their" performance reviewed annually."

What are some alternatives to "may have their"?

Alternatives include: "might possess their", "could have their", or "potentially have their", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "may have their" and "might have their"?

While both express possibility, "may have their" generally indicates a slightly higher probability than "might have their". However, the difference is often subtle.

When is it best to use "may have their" in writing?

It's best used when you want to suggest a possibility without stating it as a certainty. For example, "Stakeholders "may have their" own expectations of the service."