may not

USAGE SUMMARY

"may not" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that something is not possible, likely, or permitted. For example: "You may not enter the building without the proper credentials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We may not.

The New Yorker

They may not be.

The New York Times

That may not happen.

The Economist

They may not.

The New Yorker

They may not agree.

The Economist

Taxpayers may not.

The Economist

This may not happen.

The New York Times

"We may not agree.

The New York Times

Others may not agree.

The New York Times

That may not work.

The Economist

But it may not.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may not" to express uncertainty, possibility, or lack of permission. Ensure the context clarifies which meaning is intended.

Common error

Avoid using "may not" and "might not" interchangeably without considering the subtle difference in certainty. "May not" suggests a slightly higher probability or authority than "might not".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may not" functions primarily as a modal auxiliary verb combined with the adverb 'not' to express negation of possibility, permission, or likelihood. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples, where "may not" indicates something that is not certain or allowed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may not" functions as a modal verb construction to express possibility, permission, or prohibition, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans various contexts, with a strong presence in news and media. While generally neutral, the register can vary. Ludwig AI confirms that "may not" is grammatically correct and widely used in written English to express the idea that something is not possible, likely, or permitted. When writing, be aware of the subtle differences between "may not" and alternatives like "might not" to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might not

Indicates a slightly weaker possibility or likelihood compared to "may not".

cannot

Expresses a stronger prohibition or impossibility.

is not allowed to

Formally expresses a lack of permission.

is not permitted to

Similar to "is not allowed to" but slightly more formal.

it is possible that... not

Expresses uncertainty or a possibility that something won't happen.

it is unlikely that

Indicates a low probability of something occurring.

not necessarily

Suggests that something is not a certainty or requirement.

it's not certain that

Highlights the uncertainty surrounding an event or situation.

perhaps not

Indicates a level of uncertainty or doubt.

conceivably not

Suggests something is imaginable but not guaranteed.

FAQs

How can I use "may not" in a sentence?

You can use "may not" to express possibility, permission, or prohibition. For example, "It "may not" rain today", "You "may not" leave the room without permission."

What can I say instead of "may not"?

Alternatives include "might not", "cannot", "is not allowed to", or "is not permitted to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "may not" or "might not"?

Both "may not" and "might not" are grammatically correct, but "may not" expresses a slightly stronger possibility or authority than "might not".

What's the difference between "may not" and "cannot"?

"May not" expresses possibility, permission, or prohibition, while "cannot" expresses impossibility or a firm prohibition. For instance, "It "may not" be true" vs. "You "cannot" enter."