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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
may not well
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase 'may not well' is not an idiomatic part of English and is not used in normal writing.
It is possible to use it in informal writing, but it would not be appropriate in more formal contexts. For example: "I may not well understand the reasons behind their decision."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
24 human-written examples
Results indicate that diatoms alter geotechnical properties to an extent that in situ stress conditions may not well be inferred from common consolidation state analysis.
Science
It is discussed in this paper that the linear form of weighted sum in the nearest-neighbor matching function may not well address the nonlinear effects of attributes toward the overall similarity, and the imprecise nature of weights associated with attributes may fail to produce robust results in care retrieval.
Second, the age of the donor specimens may not well represent the population typically undergoing ACL reconstruction.
The polar phenolate may not well be directed into the heme channel of the enzyme, which is lined with many non-polar phenylalanine residues (Piontek et al. 2010).
Science
The Maxwell-body model may not well describe the truth of rheology for the asthenosphere in the Tohoku-Oki earthquake region.
Science
For tropical forests, SRTM v3 data may not well represent the surface of the ground, as shorter wavelengths such as C-band reflect mainly from top canopies [43].
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
36 human-written examples
However, an unprecedented mode of gene loss was discovered in the lineage spanning R. canadensis and TG rickettsiae, illustrating that gene signatures alone may not well-characterize specific rickettsial groups, but instead the modes of gene loss (and stricter reliance on host resources) may be the defining features [175].
Science
What works well for boys may not work well for girls.
News & Media
Further, genes that perform well in males may not do well in females, and vice versa.
Science
What works well for African-American kids may not work well for Asian kids.
News & Media
These companies may not be well known, may not be global, may not be well capitalized, may only have a few products, and may not have large distribution networks for their products.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Reframe the sentence to use verbs or adverbs that more precisely convey your intended meaning (e.g., "may not accurately represent").
Common error
Avoid using "may not well" in formal writing. This construction often sounds awkward and can be easily replaced with clearer and more direct alternatives. For instance, instead of saying, "The data may not well reflect the population", consider "The data "may not" reflect the population well" or "The data might not accurately represent the population".
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "may not well" functions as a modal construction expressing a degree of uncertainty or possibility. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered unusual, and is more appropriate to use common alternatives.
Frequent in
Science
100%
Less common in
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "may not well" is an unusual construction used to express uncertainty or possibility, but it's not considered standard English. Ludwig AI suggests that it's better to opt for clearer and more common alternatives like ""may not"" or "might not". Its function is to express doubt or qualify a statement, predominantly within scientific contexts. For enhanced clarity and broader acceptance, especially in formal writing, adopting alternative phrasing is advisable.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
might not
This is a more standard and grammatically sound alternative, simply replacing "may not well" with "might not".
may not
Removes the "well", resulting in a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase expressing possibility or uncertainty.
might not accurately
Adds "accurately" to convey that something may not be precise or correct.
may not fully
Adds "fully" to express that something might not be complete or comprehensive.
may not effectively
Uses "effectively" to suggest that something might not produce the desired result.
might not properly
Replaces "well" with "properly" to indicate something may not be done in the correct way.
may not completely
Substitute 'completely' to express the possibility of an incomplete action.
might fail to
Changes the structure to emphasize a potential lack of success or inability.
may not be suitable
Emphasizes the lack of appropriateness or fitness for a specific purpose.
may prove inadequate
Highlights the potential for something to be insufficient or lacking in quality.
FAQs
What's a more common way to say "may not well"?
Is "may not well" grammatically correct?
While understandable, "may not well" is not considered standard English. It's better to use clearer, more conventional alternatives to avoid ambiguity.
How can I rephrase a sentence using "may not well" to be more precise?
Instead of "may not well", consider alternatives that specify the nature of the uncertainty or inadequacy. For example, "may not accurately", "may not fully", or "may not effectively" provide more context.
In what situations might I want to avoid using "may not well"?
Avoid using "may not well" in formal writing, academic papers, or professional communications. It's generally better to use more direct and widely accepted phrasing to ensure clarity and credibility.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested