may not happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "may not happen" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to indicate uncertainty about the possibility or likelihood of an event occurring. For example, "We had hoped to travel abroad this summer, but due to the pandemic it may not happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It may not happen.

The New York Times

That may not happen.

The Economist

This may not happen.

The New York Times

But it may not happen.

The Economist

"But that may not happen".

The New York Times

That referendum may not happen.

The New York Times

Alas, it may not happen as planned.

The Economist

All that may or may not happen.

The New York Times

But that may not happen today.

The Economist

That may not happen this year.

The New York Times

That may or may not happen.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives like "is unlikely" or "will probably not happen" if you want to convey a greater degree of doubt.

Common error

While acceptable, "may not happen" can sometimes sound less definitive than alternatives like "is improbable" or "is doubtful", especially in academic or professional contexts. Choose stronger verbs and adverbs to convey the precise degree of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may not happen" functions as a modal expression indicating a degree of possibility or uncertainty. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in conveying that an event might not occur. It is a common way to express contingency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may not happen" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to convey uncertainty or possibility regarding a future event. Ludwig AI validates its usage and offers various real-world examples across diverse contexts, primarily in news media and formal business settings. While its neutral register makes it suitable for general use, more precise language may be preferred in formal writing to express specific degrees of uncertainty. Remember that there are alternative phrases to "may not happen", such as "is unlikely to happen" or "might not occur", that can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might not occur

Replaces "may" with "might" offering a slightly weaker degree of possibility.

it's possible it won't happen

Rephrases to explicitly state the possibility of non-occurrence.

is unlikely to happen

Uses "unlikely" to directly express a low probability.

there's no guarantee it will happen

Stresses the absence of assurance or certainty.

is not expected to happen

Emphasizes the lack of anticipation or expectation.

chances are it won't happen

Introduces a probabilistic perspective indicating low odds.

could fail to materialize

Focuses on the potential failure of something to become real.

it is doubtful that it will happen

Uses "doubtful" to convey skepticism about the event occurring.

it's not a sure thing

Informally suggests the event is not definitely going to occur.

it remains uncertain

Highlights the continued lack of certainty regarding the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "may not happen" to express uncertainty about a future event. For example, "The meeting may not happen if the CEO is unavailable".

What are some alternatives to saying "may not happen"?

Alternatives include "is unlikely to happen", "might not occur", or "is not expected to happen", depending on the level of certainty you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "might not happen" instead of "may not happen"?

Yes, "might not happen" is also correct and expresses a similar degree of possibility. The choice between "may" and "might" is often a matter of personal preference or stylistic nuance.

What's the difference between "will not happen" and "may not happen"?

"Will not happen" expresses a definite outcome, indicating that something is certain not to occur. "May not happen", on the other hand, indicates uncertainty and suggests that there's a possibility the event won't occur, but it's not guaranteed.