may not comply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may not comply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not guaranteed to meet certain standards or requirements. Example: "The product specifications may not comply with the latest industry regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Depending on the size of his bill, she may or may not comply.

The New York Times

He or she may or may not comply, but believe me, the message will be relayed backstage".

The New York Times

Others have been more critical, claiming that while it will force UK-based businesses to comply, those operating outside the UK may not comply.

The Guardian - Tech

The arrangement may not comply with local zoning laws, he said, but "it meets my threshold of pain -- it's expensive, but not so expensive that it requires me to put my name on a 10-year waiting list".

The New York Times

With their thick walls, small windows and natural ventilation, traditional Afghan homes may not comply with international building codes, but they are cooler in summer and warmer in winter than cinder-block buildings.

The New York Times

According to minutes of the meeting, the commission's chairwoman, Wendy Kuhne, "noted her own objections to the stone, which is not indigenous to the district, feels the clock tower is not appropriate, and the Star of David may not comply with the district".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Christy Collbran, a former Sea Organization member whose parents no longer communicate with her, said that while the Church may not enforce Disconnection officially, family members who do not comply may be labeled Suppressive Persons themselves.

Huffington Post

Just 9% of searches result in an arrest, while around perhaps a quarter may not properly comply with the law, because of poor recording or insufficient grounds.

The Economist

Finally, the United States envisions a complete pullout by 2014, but as history shows, our allies may not always comply with our wishes.

The New York Times

The legal request, filed nearly four hours after Barack Obama vowed to sign a new law banning precisely the bulk collection he asks the secret court to approve, also suggests that the administration may not necessarily comply with any potential court order demanding that the collection stop.

The Guardian

The failure in fulfilling the TOD model around Jinghailu station, suggests that industrial-oriented development may not effectively comply with the TOD model in Chinese cities.

Urban Rail Transit

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may not comply" when indicating a possibility, rather than a certainty, that something fails to meet specified requirements or standards.

Common error

Avoid using "may not comply" when you have definitive evidence of non-compliance. In such cases, use phrases like "does not comply" or "is in violation of."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may not comply" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a possibility or a lack of certainty regarding adherence to a rule, standard, or requirement. It suggests a potential failure to meet certain criteria, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may not comply" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates a potential or uncertain failure to meet specific requirements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's essential to use this phrase when there is a possibility, rather than a certainty, of non-compliance. While suitable for various registers, it often appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Alternatives like "might not adhere to" or "could fail to meet" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might not adhere to

Replaces "may" with "might" and "comply" with "adhere to", changing the specific verb.

could fail to meet

Uses "could" instead of "may" and "fail to meet" instead of "comply", indicating a possibility of not satisfying requirements.

might not be in accordance with

Substitutes "comply" with "be in accordance with", adding a level of formality.

might not satisfy

Uses "satisfy" as an alternative to "comply", focusing on the outcome of meeting requirements.

may not fulfill

Replaces comply with fulfill, slightly changing the context towards the idea of performing

may be non-compliant

Transforms the verb phrase into an adjective phrase using "non-compliant."

might be in violation of

Substitutes with "be in violation of", expressing stronger negative consequence.

may deviate from

Replaces "comply" with "deviate from", focusing on a departure from the standard.

may be at odds with

Uses the idiom "at odds with" to convey a lack of alignment.

might contravene

Replaces with the more formal word "contravene"

FAQs

What does "may not comply" mean?

The phrase "may not comply" indicates that there is a possibility or risk that something does not meet certain rules, regulations, standards, or requirements.

When should I use "may not comply" instead of "does not comply"?

Use "may not comply" when you are unsure or indicating a potential issue. Use "does not comply" when you have definite evidence of non-compliance.

What are some alternatives to "may not comply"?

You can use alternatives like "might not adhere to", "could fail to meet", or "might not be in accordance with depending" on the context.

Is "may not comply" grammatically correct?

Yes, "may not comply" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a standard modal verb construction used to express possibility or uncertainty regarding compliance.