may incur

USAGE SUMMARY

'may incur' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express the possibility that something could cause costs or losses. Example sentence: If the project is delayed, the company may incur additional costs.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Accordingly, entropy estimated under this condition may incur considerable bias.

Journal of Hydrology

During transmission, data may incur delays, be lost or corrupted.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

However, heating/cooling may incur an additional cost.

Sustainable Design Through Process Integration Fundamentals and Applications to Industrial Pollution Prevention, Resource Conservation, and Profitability Enhancement

Bravely persistent visitors may incur a fine existential unease.

The New Yorker

However, they may incur significant bandwidth for keyword-based searches.

University of California, Berkeley

***Students may incur additional costs, such as student club events.

Columbia University

**Students may incur additional costs, such as student club events.

Columbia University

One of their number is on trial and may incur a 10-year prison sentence.

The Guardian

Withdrawing cash from a machine may incur a charge of around 2.75%-3%-3% hidden commission.

The Guardian - Money

Of course, if you sell winners, you may incur a capital gains tax bill.

The New York Times

Warning: Some apps require data downloads that may incur roaming fees if you're overseas.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may incur", clearly state what action or situation might lead to the cost or consequence. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "may incur" in overly passive constructions. Instead of "Costs may be incurred", try "The company may incur costs". This makes the sentence more direct and easier to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may incur" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a possibility or potential for something (usually negative, like a cost or debt) to be acquired or experienced. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

35%

Academia

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may incur" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the possibility of experiencing a cost, charge, or negative consequence. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. It is common in various contexts like science, news, and academia, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify the action or situation leading to the potential cost to avoid ambiguity. Remember to avoid overuse of passive voice for more direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could lead to

Emphasizes the potential result or consequence.

might result in

Focuses on the possible outcome of an action or situation.

can cause

Highlights the ability to produce a specific effect.

may give rise to

Suggests the emergence of something as a consequence.

potentially create

Focuses on the possibility of generating or forming something.

could bring about

Highlights the potential to initiate or cause something.

might generate

Emphasizes the possibility of producing or creating something.

can produce

Highlights the ability to yield or create a specific effect.

may beget

Suggests the possibility of causing or producing something, often in a more formal or literary context.

potentially trigger

Focuses on the possibility of initiating or setting off a specific event or reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "may incur" in a sentence?

You can use "may incur" to indicate a possibility of experiencing a cost, charge, or other negative consequence. For example, "Customers "may incur additional fees" if they exceed their data limit".

What are some alternatives to "may incur"?

Some alternatives include "could lead to", "might result in", or "can cause", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "may incur" or "might incur"?

"May incur" and "might incur" are generally interchangeable in most contexts. However, "may" is often perceived as slightly more formal.

What is the difference between "may incur" and "will incur"?

"May incur" indicates a possibility, whereas "will incur" indicates a certainty. "You "may incur a fee"" means there's a chance you'll be charged, while "You will incur a fee" means you definitely will be charged.