may indeed be

USAGE SUMMARY

"may indeed be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express a possibility, usually with a measure of doubt. For example, "These results may indeed be accurate, but further verification is necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They may, indeed, be overdue.

The Economist

That may indeed be true.

The New York Times

Someday, Gasol may indeed be traded.

The New York Times - Sports

It may indeed be all those things.

Independent

But the cycle may indeed be changing.

The Economist

These fears may indeed be real.

The New York Times

Studies suggest antisemitism may indeed be mounting.

The Guardian

The salary may indeed be ridiculous.

The New York Times - Sports

All these may indeed be "what-ifs".

The Guardian

This may indeed be worthy.

The Guardian

It may indeed be merit pay.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may indeed be" to express a possibility with a touch of emphasis or agreement, particularly when acknowledging a point or conceding something.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "may indeed be" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "might be" or "could be" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may indeed be" functions as an modal adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express possibility with a degree of emphasis or concession. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase. It indicates that something is likely true, or acknowledges a point while still presenting it as a possibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"May indeed be" is a versatile modal adverbial phrase that signifies possibility with a degree of emphasis or acknowledgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. The phrase serves to express qualified agreement, acknowledging a point while maintaining a sense of uncertainty. While common, it leans towards a neutral to formal register, making it less frequent in casual conversation. Alternatives like "could certainly be" or "might actually be" offer similar nuances. In summary, "may indeed be" is a valuable tool for expressing nuanced possibilities in formal and semi-formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may very well be

Similar to "might well be", but perhaps slightly stronger in its assertion of possibility.

could in fact be

Highlights the reality or truth of a possibility.

could certainly be

Expresses a strong possibility, slightly more assertive than "may indeed be".

might well be

Implies a reasonable or likely possibility.

could potentially be

Focuses on the potential or capacity for something to be the case.

might actually be

Suggests a possibility that is perhaps surprising or contrary to expectation.

is plausibly

Expresses possibility and believability.

may conceivably be

Indicates something is within the realm of possibility, though perhaps unlikely.

is possibly

A more straightforward and less emphatic way of expressing a possibility.

might conceivably be

Similar to may conceivably be but uses might to express possibility.

FAQs

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

"May indeed be" is used to express a possibility, often with an element of agreement or acknowledgement. For example, "That "may indeed be" the case" suggests you agree that something is possibly true.

What phrases can I use instead of "may indeed be"?

Alternatives include "could certainly be", "might actually be", or "could in fact be", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "may indeed be" more formal than "might be"?

Yes, "may indeed be" tends to be more formal and emphatic than the simpler "might be". The addition of "indeed" adds a degree of emphasis or confirmation.

What's the difference between "may indeed be" and "may possibly be"?

"May indeed be" suggests a higher degree of likelihood or agreement than "may possibly be". "Possibly" indicates a simple possibility, while "indeed" implies a stronger chance or an acknowledgement of a previously stated point.