may not return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may not return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is a possibility or likelihood that someone or something will not come back. Example: "Due to the severe weather conditions, the flight may not return to the airport until the storm passes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He may not return until May.

The New York Times - Sports

He may not return.

The Economist

May not return null.

Stanford University

Who may not return the favor.

The New York Times - Science

ParallelContext.working may not return results in the order of submission.

Yale University

"They may or may not return," he said.

The Washington Post

Many are quietly saying that they may not return.

The New York Times

Who knows that such times may not return?

The Guardian - Opinion

Children taken out of school may not return.

The Guardian

Violante, the school's dean of students, may not return, however.

The New York Times

Jim McIlvaine may not return with a strained calf.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the uncertainty, combine "may not return" with adverbs like "possibly", "potentially", or "conceivably."

Common error

While "may not return" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "is unlikely to return" or "is not expected to return" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may not return" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a possibility or uncertainty about a future event. It is used to indicate that there is a chance that someone or something will not come back. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

31%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may not return" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express uncertainty about a future return. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, from news and media to academia and science. When writing, consider using alternative phrases like "might not come back" or "is unlikely to return" to avoid repetition. While its neutral register makes it suitable for most situations, be mindful of overusing it in formal contexts. Remember that "may not return" suggests a possibility, while "will not return" implies a higher degree of certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might not come back

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating a slightly lower probability of returning.

could fail to return

Substitutes "may not" with "could fail to", emphasizing the possibility of not returning.

is unlikely to return

Replaces the modal verb with an adjective phrase, conveying a low probability of returning.

is not expected to return

Emphasizes a lack of expectation for someone or something to return.

might stay away

Focuses on the potential absence rather than the action of returning.

is possibly gone for good

Suggests a more permanent absence with little chance of return.

is not guaranteed to return

Highlights the uncertainty and lack of assurance of a return.

cannot be expected back

Emphasizes that there should not be an expectation that someone or something will return.

will potentially not come back

Expresses uncertainty about a return, using "potentially" to highlight the possibility.

chances of return are slim

Uses an idiom to convey a low likelihood of returning.

FAQs

What does "may not return" mean?

The phrase "may not return" indicates a possibility that someone or something will not come back to a place, condition, or activity.

What can I say instead of "may not return"?

You can use alternatives like "might not come back", "is unlikely to return", or "could fail to return" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "may not return"?

Yes, "may not return" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. It follows standard rules for modal verbs.

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

"May not return" suggests a possibility or uncertainty, whereas "will not return" indicates a stronger likelihood or certainty that someone or something is not coming back.