may presumably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may presumably" is not commonly used together in written English and may sound redundant.
You can use it when expressing a possibility that is assumed to be true, but it is better to choose one of the terms. Example: "The results of the experiment may presumably indicate a new trend in the data."

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

The earlier one disappeared more recently (and may, presumably, still turn up).

The New Yorker

The tiny amount of 3MP taken up by compound 1 may presumably be attributed to the surface adsorption or adsorption at defect sites5.

Nature

(As may, presumably, the one or two Chicago-area children a year who have been named Wrigley in loving homage to the place).

The New York Times - Sports

So the agreement envisions a "global stock-take" in which the world assesses how it is doing in trying to meet its climate goals, after which nations may, presumably, have to further increase their ambitions.

The Washington Post

However, because CO has a small dipole moment, while N2 is non-dipole (note they are isoelectronic), the different formation sequences observed for CO hydrates may presumably arise from the CO dipole effect during the nucleation stage, although the difference in the guest chemistry can also be a determining factor.

Nature

We may presumably fault bin Laden for failing to give credit where credit is due, although, of course, he never claimed to be the author of the poem, and the rules governing the attribution of poetry recited for propagandistic purposes are far from clear.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

But his current views, whatever they may be, presumably shaped his thinking as he evaluated whether to remain in the Paris accord.

The New York Times

The results may be presumably attributed to the better imprinting expression on L- 001) TiO2 with more accessibL- 001face imprinting sites and enhanced PEC catalytic activity, withh was beneficial for the fast PEC oxidation of the adsorbed temorete molecules accessibler amplified the PEC enantiosurfacevimprinting

Electrochimica Acta

This may be presumably due to the presence of pyridinium counterpart.

Chemistry Central Journal

The mechanism involved in the upregulation of MMP-7 and MT1-MMP by SFRP5 downregulation may be presumably related to aberrant activation of Wnt signals.

BMC Cancer

The authors suggest that the known role of syt VII in dense core vesicle release may contribute, presumably by releasing a factor that influences synaptic vesicle recycling.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using either "may" or "presumably" alone for conciseness, as combining them can sometimes sound redundant. Choose the word that best reflects the nuance you want to convey: possibility or assumption.

Common error

While acceptable, using "may presumably" frequently in formal writing can make your text sound hesitant or verbose. Opt for stronger, more direct phrasing to enhance clarity and confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may presumably" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding a layer of uncertainty or qualified assertion to a statement. It indicates a possibility based on an assumption. Ludwig AI shows usage in scientific and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

21%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may presumably" combines possibility and assumption, acting as an adverbial modifier to express tentative conclusions. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI shows that it can sometimes be redundant, with sources suggesting that using "may" or "presumably" alone often suffices. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for formal writing. Consider alternatives like "likely may" or restructuring the sentence for improved clarity. Ludwig's analysis emphasizes the importance of context and conciseness when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

presumably might

Substitutes "may" with "might", indicating a slightly weaker possibility.

probably may

Emphasizes the probability aspect more directly.

it seems likely that

Introduces the idea as an apparent likelihood.

likely may

Reverses the order and focuses on the probability, with "likely" directly modifying "may".

it is plausible that

Focuses on the believability or credibility of the possibility.

it would seem that

More tentative and suggests an inference based on available information.

it is presumed that

Changes the structure to a more formal and passive construction.

it can be assumed that

Similar to "it is presumed that" but highlights the possibility of assumption.

it is reasonable to assume

Adds a sense of justification or logic to the assumption.

one can reasonably assume

Similar to 'it is reasonable to assume' but includes the word 'one'.

FAQs

What does "may presumably" mean?

The phrase "may presumably" suggests that something is possible and that there's a reason to believe it's true, though without absolute certainty. It combines possibility ("may") with assumption ("presumably").

Is it correct to use "may presumably" in a sentence?

While grammatically acceptable, the phrase can be redundant. Using either "may" or "presumably" alone often achieves the same meaning more concisely. Consider alternatives like "likely may" or "probably may".

What are some alternatives to "may presumably"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "presumably might", "it is presumed that", or simply "may" or "presumably" by themselves to convey a similar meaning.

How can I avoid redundancy when using "may presumably"?

To avoid redundancy, assess whether both words are truly necessary. Often, the sentence's meaning remains clear and stronger with just one of the terms. For example, instead of "the results may presumably indicate…", try "the results may indicate…" or "the results presumably indicate…".