may occur

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may occur" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the possibility of something happening in the future or under certain conditions. Example: "Side effects may occur after taking this medication, so please consult your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fainting (syncope) may occur.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Delays may occur.

The New York Times

That may occur again now.

The Economist

During winter, frost may occur.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Convulsions may occur in cattle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This may occur quite rapidly.

The Economist

Epiphytotics may occur in cycles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It may occur in dreams".

The New Yorker

Serious bleeding may occur.

Harvard University

However, mistakes may occur.

Cornell University

Sentencing may occur as soon as Thursday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may occur", consider the context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. In scientific or formal writing, it's a suitable choice, while more casual alternatives might be preferable in informal settings.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "may occur" in informal writing can sound stilted. Opt for more conversational alternatives like "might happen" or "could arise" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may occur" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing possibility or potential. Ludwig AI's examples show it being used in various contexts to indicate that something is liable to happen but is not certain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

23%

News & Media

22%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

17%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may occur" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express possibility or potential. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific contexts. While it's a common and accepted phrase, it's essential to consider the context and choose more informal alternatives like "might happen" or "could arise" when appropriate. Understanding its function, purpose, and register helps ensure its effective use in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might happen

Replaces "may" with "might", creating a slightly less formal tone while retaining the sense of possibility.

could arise

Substitutes "occur" with "arise", suggesting something coming into existence or prominence.

can take place

Replaces "may occur" with "can take place", indicating that something is able to happen or be performed.

is liable to happen

Uses "liable" to emphasize the probability of something occurring, often with a negative connotation.

is possible

Offers a more direct and simple way of expressing possibility, removing the verb "occur" for brevity.

potentially happen

Replaces "may occur" with "potentially happen", indicating that something has the capacity to happen.

could come about

Replaces "occur" with "come about", suggesting something happening as a result of a series of events.

is apt to occur

Uses "apt" to indicate a natural tendency or likelihood of something happening, often in a specific context.

is subject to

This phrase has a similar structure, but instead of the idea of occurrence it indicates the idea of being exposed to something.

there is a chance of

Emphasizes the element of chance or uncertainty associated with the event occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "may occur" in a sentence?

You can use "may occur" to indicate a possibility or potential event. For example: "Delays "may occur" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to saying "may occur"?

Alternatives include "might happen", "could arise", or "is possible", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "may occurs" instead of "may occur"?

No, "may occurs" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "may occur" because "may" is a modal verb that doesn't change form based on the subject.

What is the difference between "may occur" and "will occur"?

"May occur" indicates a possibility, whereas "will occur" suggests a higher degree of certainty. "Side effects "may occur"" implies it's possible, while "side effects will occur" implies they are definite.