may possibly occur

USAGE SUMMARY

"may possibly occur" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to express the potential or chance of something happening in the future. Example: In preparation for the hurricane, we have reinforced our windows and stocked up on supplies, as power outages may possibly occur.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

This methodology was tested on real experimental data obtained from a distillation column with the aim of predicting failures that may possibly occur during the automated continuous distillation process.

Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems

The zero-input limit cycles, which are undesirable, may possibly occur due to these nonlinearities.

Advances in Difference Equations

Few reports and studies about local submarine landslide-generated tsunamis have been done in China, though local submarine landslide-generated tsunamis may possibly occur.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

This kind of atmospheric optics would occur more frequently in a polar region, but may possibly occur at lower latitudes given appropriate weather conditions.

Earth, Planets and Space

RCVS may possibly occur as a cause of RPLS, due to ischaemia or cerebral oedema and as a consequence of hypertension in RPLS when cerebral autoregulation is overwhelmed by massive increases in arterial and cerebral perfusion pressure [3].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

A fifth appearance may possibly occur on a runestone found in Södermanland, Sweden (Sö 140), but the reading is contested.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

This may quite possibly occur under the circumstance of turn off the hose at the nozzle and forget to turn off water at the point of the faucet tap and then proceed to dismember the hose attachment at the faucet.

WikiHow

Growth potentiation may have possibly occurred via beta1-integrin-dependent augmentation of cell adhesion and invasion 50– 50.

Cancer Medicine

These positive effects may possibly have occurred due to the antimicrobial properties of AgNPs, which can make plants strong and resistant to stress.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

Further delay may possibly have occurred from the time specimen was received at the central specimen processing unit to when the specimen actually got to the virus isolation laboratory.

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

However, in reality indicator microbes and pathogens may act more as separate particles possibly occurring in small patches due to the discrete character of the sources in time and/or space, so other ways of characterizing their distribution are needed.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider whether the word "possibly" adds meaningful emphasis to "may occur". In many cases, "may occur" alone sufficiently conveys the uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple adverbs or modal verbs expressing possibility. Phrases like "might possibly maybe occur" become unnecessarily verbose and weaken your writing. Choose the most precise term and use it judiciously.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may possibly occur" functions as a hedge, softening a statement and indicating that something is not certain. It expresses a possibility or potential outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

Wiki

12%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may possibly occur" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express uncertainty about a potential event. While some might find it slightly redundant, the inclusion of "possibly" can add emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The phrase is primarily found in scientific, wiki, and news & media contexts. Alternatives such as "might occur" or "could happen" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, avoid overuse and ensure it adds value to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might possibly happen

Replaces "occur" with "happen" and "may" with "might", indicating a slightly weaker possibility.

could potentially arise

Substitutes "may" with "could" and "possibly occur" with "potentially arise", suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

may conceivably transpire

Employs "conceivably transpire" instead of "possibly occur", offering a more sophisticated and less common alternative.

could plausibly take place

Replaces "may" with "could" and "possibly occur" with "plausibly take place", conveying a sense of feasibility.

might conceivably come about

Uses "might" instead of "may" and "conceivably come about" instead of "possibly occur", indicating a slightly more tentative possibility.

may perchance arise

Substitutes "possibly occur" with the more archaic and literary "perchance arise".

potentially could happen

Combines "potentially" with "could happen", slightly altering the emphasis.

it is not impossible that it will occur

Replaces the phrase with a longer, more explicit statement of possibility.

it is conceivable that it will happen

Uses a more formal and elaborate structure to express possibility.

there is a chance it could occur

Expresses the idea of possibility using a more common and simpler structure.

FAQs

What does "may possibly occur" mean?

The phrase "may possibly occur" indicates that there is a chance or a possibility that something will happen. The inclusion of "possibly" alongside "may" often emphasizes the uncertainty or tentativeness of the event.

Is "may possibly occur" redundant?

Some consider the phrase slightly redundant, as "may" already implies possibility. However, the added "possibly" can serve to reinforce or emphasize the uncertainty. Whether to use it depends on the desired tone and emphasis of your writing.

What are some alternatives to "may possibly occur"?

You can use alternatives like "might occur", "could happen", "may conceivably transpire", or "potentially could happen" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

In what contexts is "may possibly occur" appropriate?

The phrase is appropriate in contexts where you want to express uncertainty about a future event, such as in scientific reports, news articles, or general discussions about potential outcomes. It's suitable when you want to underscore that the event is not certain but remains a possibility.