may however be

USAGE SUMMARY

"may however be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as an expression of concession when you accept that something may be true, even though it contradicts something else that has already been stated. For example: "The new regulations are extremely strict. They may however be necessary to protect the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They may, however, be mostly window-dressing.

The New York Times - Sports

Improvement may, however, be in the air.

The Economist

Intermediate levels may, however, be skipped.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The taboo may, however, be slipping.

The Economist

"This may, however, be a bit unfair.

Independent

There may, however, be a better way.

The Economist

The phenomenon may, however, be short-lived.

The New York Times

It may, however, be a failing one.

The Economist

It may, however, be a pyrrhic victory.

The Economist

This may, however, be their golden hour.

The New York Times

It may, however, be more profitable.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using “may however be,” ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates the contrast you intend to create. Ambiguity can weaken the impact of this construction.

Common error

Avoid using "may however be" in very simple sentences where a direct contradiction would be clearer and more effective. It can sound overly formal or convoluted in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may however be" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb and introducing a sense of concession or contrast. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct phrase to use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may however be" serves as an effective way to introduce contrast or alternative possibilities within a statement. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, highlighting its function as an adverbial phrase. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, its usage leans towards formal registers. When writing, consider that while "may however be" is widely accepted and versatile, choosing direct contradictions might prove more impactful for simple assertions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might nevertheless be

Uses "might" instead of "may" and "nevertheless" instead of "however" to convey a similar sense of possibility with contrast.

could still be

Replaces "may however" with "could still", indicating a possibility that persists despite other factors.

might in any case be

Substitutes "may however" with "might in any case", suggesting a possibility regardless of circumstances.

can still be

Replaces "may however" with "can still", emphasizing an existing possibility.

could though be

Uses "could though" instead of "may however" to express a possible contrast.

possibly could be

Emphasizes the possibility using "possibly could", altering the original phrase's structure.

it is potentially

Rephrases using "it is potentially" to highlight the aspect of potential or possibility.

it is perhaps

Rephrases using "it is perhaps" to express uncertainty or possibility.

the alternative is

This expresses the situation in a different way as an alternative between two options.

conversely might be

Employs "conversely might be" to explicitly indicate an opposite or contrasting possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "may however be" in a sentence?

Use "may however be" to introduce a contrasting possibility or exception. For instance, "The initial reports were positive; further investigation "may however be" necessary to confirm these findings."

What are some alternatives to "may however be"?

Alternatives include "might nevertheless be", "could still be", or "conversely might be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "may however be" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "may however be" is suitable for formal writing as it provides a nuanced way to introduce a contrast or possibility. However, ensure it doesn't make your sentence overly complex.

What is the difference between "may however be" and "but it could be"?

"May however be" is more formal and subtly introduces a contrasting possibility, while "but it could be" is more direct and informal. The choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.