may perhaps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may perhaps" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to express a possibility or uncertainty. Example: "He may perhaps be the best candidate for the job, but we still need to interview the other applicants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Online stalking may perhaps be more visible.

The Guardian

So.... Now vee may perhaps to begin.

The New York Times - Books

In the White House it may, perhaps, be different.

The Guardian

We may perhaps immunise some people against disastrous first impressions".

The Guardian

These details may perhaps be forgotten in years to come.

The Guardian - Sport

We may, perhaps, make more rigorous ethical demands upon you.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Now vee may perhaps to begin" – Portnoy's psychiatrist.

The New York Times

The point may perhaps best be explained by example.

The New York Times

This may perhaps turn out to be Mr. Macmillan's major mistake.

The New Yorker

It is a testimony that may perhaps seem violent, but our lives were violent".

The New York Times - Books

By other means we may perhaps be able to explain man, but never to understand him...

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may perhaps" to introduce a suggestion or possibility, particularly when you want to convey a sense of politeness or tentativeness. It is often more appropriate in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "may perhaps" excessively in your writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound overly cautious or hesitant. Vary your language by using alternatives such as "might", "could", or "possibly" to maintain a balanced and confident tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may perhaps" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding a degree of uncertainty or possibility to a statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may perhaps" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that serves to express possibility or uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate in various writing contexts, particularly in science and news media, where a formal and tentative tone is often desired. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse, opting for synonyms like "might possibly", "could possibly", or "possibly might" to maintain a balanced writing style. Keep in mind that other variations may be too redundant and it's best to stick to this two word compound. Remember to employ this phrase judiciously to enhance the sophistication and accuracy of your expression. The sources range from highly authoritative to more general references.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might possibly

Replaces "may" with "might" and "perhaps" with "possibly", maintaining the sense of uncertainty with a slight shift in emphasis.

could possibly

Substitutes "may" with "could" and "perhaps" with "possibly", suggesting a potential but not definite outcome.

possibly might

Inverts the order and replaces "may perhaps" with "possibly might", keeping the level of uncertainty similar but changing the word order.

potentially may

Replaces "perhaps" with "potentially", focusing on the possibility of something happening or being true.

conceivably might

Substitutes "may perhaps" with "conceivably might", indicating that something is within the realm of possibility.

it is plausible that

Expresses possibility using a more formal and descriptive structure.

it is possible that

Replaces "may perhaps" with a more direct statement of possibility.

it could be the case that

Offers a more elaborate and cautious expression of a possible scenario.

it is conceivable that

Highlights the imaginability or understandability of a potential situation.

perhaps it is

Reorders the phrase to emphasize "perhaps" and introduces a slightly more tentative tone.

FAQs

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

The phrase "may perhaps" is used to express uncertainty or possibility. For example: "He "may perhaps" be the best candidate for the job", or "This solution "may perhaps" solve the problem".

What phrases are similar to "may perhaps"?

Similar phrases include "might possibly", "could possibly", or "possibly might". These alternatives also express a degree of uncertainty or possibility.

Is "may be perhaps" correct?

While "may perhaps" is an accepted construction, "may be perhaps" is generally considered redundant. It's better to choose either "may be" or "perhaps" to convey possibility.

What is the level of formality of "may perhaps"?

"May perhaps" is considered more formal than alternatives like "maybe" or "might". It is suitable for professional or academic writing where a degree of tentativeness is desired.