may probably be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may probably be" is not correct and is generally considered redundant in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty, but it is better to choose either "may be" or "probably is" for clarity. Example: "The results may probably be inconclusive, but further testing is needed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Though the subject of many legends, he may probably be safely regarded as an actual historical figure.

Britannica

Our findings suggest that D. uncinatum may probably be used to control invasive species, T. minuta and should be integrated into the management practices in the affected areas.

Acta Ecologica Sinica

This may probably be due to a decrease in metabolic oxidation capacity or due to a self-propagating scavenging system, though the system was not fully activated.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology

Mr. Burns is the actor ("Saving Private Ryan") and director ("The Brothers McMullen") who may probably be better known now as the husband of the supermodel Christy Turlington.

The New York Times

However, considering the relatively large lattice mismatch between the fcc ZrN and the fcc AlN, the coherent spinodal decomposition may probably be hindered due to rapid phase transformation from fcc AlN to the stable hcp AlN.

Acta Materialia

The outstanding thermal stability of photoluminescence of this phosphor up to 523 K may probably be owed to the energy transfer from isolated MoO6 groups to the well-dispersed Eu3+ ion separated by BO3 groups.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

Using 12-mers with the proposed method to obtain and study sequences was found to be a reliable approach for the analysis of 16S rRNA sequences and this strategy may probably be extended to other biomarkers.

Heliyon

Therefore the results obtained from the study indicate a defensive role of rifampicin in memory dysfunction which may probably be due to its anti-cholinesterase, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and amyloid lowering effects.

Neuroscience

The struggling German side may, probably, be the weakest team left in the competition and this was hardly a vintage European performance from City but it was hugely memorable one nonetheless.

The Telegraph

'He may probably be home.'.

Functional Linguistics

Ion exchange in illite may probably be the major process accounting for the K+ in the groundwater.

Applied Water Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose either "may be" or "probably is" to avoid redundancy and enhance clarity in your writing.

Common error

Do not use both "may" and "probably" together. This combination creates a redundant expression, weakening your statement. Opt for a single, clear indicator of possibility or likelihood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may probably be" functions as a modal expression, indicating a degree of possibility or likelihood. It's used to express uncertainty about a statement. While examples exist, as Ludwig demonstrates, it's often seen as redundant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

19%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may probably be" is used to express possibility or likelihood, but is often considered redundant because "may" and "probably" convey similar meanings. As Ludwig AI points out, the expression isn't considered correct. While examples are abundant across various sources, including scientific publications and news articles, it's generally better to opt for clearer and more concise alternatives such as "may be", "might be", or "probably is". Choosing a single modal verb or adverb enhances the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be

This is a more concise and commonly accepted alternative to express possibility.

could be

Similar to "might be", this option provides a straightforward expression of potential.

may be

Omitting "probably" results in a grammatically sound and semantically similar expression of possibility.

is probably

Reversing the order offers a grammatically correct alternative, emphasizing likelihood.

is likely to be

This phrase provides a slightly stronger sense of probability compared to "may be".

is possibly

This phrase emphasizes uncertainty, where probably emphasizes chances of happening.

presumably is

Focus on the assumption that something is the case but lacking proof

conceivably is

Indicates that something is possible but perhaps unlikely

possibly is

This term indicates a lower degree of certainty or probability than "probably is".

is perhaps

Reversing order, a less emphatic expression of possibility, suitable for nuanced contexts.

FAQs

What is the difference between "may be" and "may probably be"?

While "may be" expresses a possibility, "may probably be" is considered redundant. It's better to choose one or the other for clarity. "May be" is sufficient to indicate something is possible.

Is "may probably be" grammatically correct?

The phrase "may probably be" is not considered grammatically optimal due to the overlapping meanings of "may" and "probably". It's more concise and clearer to use just one of these words.

What can I use instead of "may probably be"?

You can use alternatives like "might be", "could be", or "is likely to be" depending on the context.

When is it acceptable to use "may probably be"?

While generally discouraged in formal writing, "may probably be" could be used in informal conversation or creative writing where the redundancy is intended for emphasis. However, clearer alternatives usually exist.