may not arrive

USAGE SUMMARY

"may not arrive" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express uncertainty or possibility that something or someone may not arrive at a certain time or place. Example: "The package may not arrive until next week due to delivery delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That evidence may not arrive soon.

The New Yorker

Relief food may not arrive on time.

The New York Times

The official results may not arrive for days.

The Guardian

For Mr. Achmat it may not arrive soon enough.

The New York Times

After the contested presidential election of 2000, this may not arrive as a shocking insight.

The New York Times

Cameron's producer Jon Landau has previously said the first sequel may not arrive until 2016.

The Guardian - Film

Even then, relief may not arrive in time for the summer driving season.

The New York Times

And the answers to all these questions may not arrive until then.

The New York Times - Sports

The turnaround, when it comes, may not arrive fast enough for some companies.

The New York Times

But the iBooks platform for selling books may not arrive in Europe for some time.

The Guardian

Now he is being told that his living assistance payments may not arrive until November.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may not arrive" to convey a sense of possibility rather than certainty. If you're sure something won't arrive, use "will not arrive" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "may not arrive" when you have definitive information that something will not happen. "May not arrive" suggests a degree of uncertainty, whereas "will not arrive" indicates a certain outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may not arrive" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or uncertainty. It's used to express that an event or object reaching a destination is not guaranteed, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may not arrive" is a versatile expression used to indicate uncertainty regarding the arrival or occurrence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency across various sources, especially in News & Media, underscores its relevance in communicating potential uncertainties. When using this phrase, consider the level of certainty you want to convey, as it differs significantly from "will not arrive", which indicates a definitive outcome. Remember to provide context to ensure clarity and avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might not appear

Substitutes "may" with "might" maintaining a similar degree of possibility while replacing "arrive" with "appear", focusing on the manifestation rather than the action of reaching a destination.

is possibly not coming

Simplifies the expression, focusing directly on the act of not coming rather than the arrival.

could fail to materialize

Shifts the focus to the event not happening, using "fail to materialize" to emphasize the lack of becoming real or actual.

it's uncertain whether it will arrive

Rephrases the statement to emphasize the uncertainty surrounding the arrival, adding a more descriptive tone.

is unlikely to happen

Indicates a low probability of occurrence, replacing the uncertainty of arrival with a more direct statement of improbability.

is not expected to turn up

Emphasizes the lack of expectation, using "turn up" as an informal alternative to "arrive".

there's a chance it won't be here

Uses an informal expression to convey the possibility of absence, replacing "arrive" with "be here".

is doubtful to surface

Suggests uncertainty about something becoming known or evident, using "surface" to imply a reveal or emergence.

may be delayed indefinitely

Focuses on the possibility of a prolonged postponement, highlighting the uncertainty in the arrival time.

might never transpire

Indicates a possibility that an event will not occur at all, using "transpire" as a more formal term for happening.

FAQs

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

Use "may not arrive" to express uncertainty about whether something will reach a destination or occur. For example, "The package "may not arrive" until next week because of the holiday rush."

What are some alternatives to "may not arrive"?

Alternatives include "might not appear", "could fail to materialize", or "is unlikely to happen", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "may not arrive" and "will not arrive"?

"May not arrive" indicates uncertainty or possibility, while "will not arrive" expresses certainty. Use "may" when there's a chance it could still happen, and "will" when it's definite.

What's the level of formality when using "may not arrive"?

The phrase "may not arrive" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. In very informal situations, you might prefer simpler alternatives like "is possibly not coming" or "there's a chance it won't be here".