may not last

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may not last" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express doubts or uncertainty about something continuing in the future. Example: "The friendship between John and Jane may not last if they continue to argue all the time." In this sentence, "may not last" implies that the writer is not sure if the friendship between John and Jane will continue or if it will eventually end due to their constant arguing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That may not last.

The New York Times

But it may not last.

The Economist

The glee may not last.

The Economist

But that may not last.

The Economist

This practice may not last.

The New Yorker

That may not last long.

The New York Times

This may not last long.

The Economist

One word may not last.

The Economist

This may not last.

The Guardian

But that effect may not last.

The New York Times

It may not last much longer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may not last", consider the specific reason for the potential impermanence. Providing context strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "may not last" as a filler phrase. Ensure it contributes meaningfully to the statement, indicating genuine uncertainty or risk of impermanence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may not last" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing uncertainty about the duration or continuation of a condition, situation, or object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may not last" is a versatile expression used to convey uncertainty about the future duration of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media" sources, it also appears in "Science" and "Formal & Business" writing. When using "may not last", consider providing specific reasons for potential impermanence to strengthen your statement, and avoid using it as a filler. Related phrases such as "might not endure" and "could be temporary" offer nuanced alternatives. In summary, "may not last" is a valuable tool for expressing cautious predictions, but should be used thoughtfully and precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might not endure

Uses 'endure' to emphasize the capacity to withstand or remain viable.

could be temporary

Focuses on the state of being transient or not permanent.

is unlikely to continue

Emphasizes a low probability of continuation.

is not guaranteed to persist

Highlights the lack of assurance about its duration.

won't necessarily hold

Indicates that a current condition or state may change.

is subject to change

Directly states that alterations are possible or expected.

is only fleeting

Conveys the idea that something is brief and short-lived.

is doubtful to remain

Expresses skepticism about the stability of something.

has a limited lifespan

Indicates that something has a finite period of existence.

is not built to last

Suggests a fundamental weakness that prevents long-term survival.

FAQs

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

Use "may not last" to express uncertainty about the duration of something. For example, "This period of economic growth "may not last" if global conditions worsen."

What are some alternatives to "may not last"?

Alternatives include "might not endure", "could be temporary", or "is unlikely to continue", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "may not last" formal or informal?

"May not last" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the source in which it is used.

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

"May not last" indicates uncertainty or possibility, while "will not last" expresses a higher degree of certainty about the impermanence of something. "This trend "may not last"" suggests it might end, whereas "This trend will not last" implies it certainly will end.