may result in

USAGE SUMMARY

"may result in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the potential outcomes of a situation, action, or decision. For example: Eating unhealthy food may result in weight gain.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It may result in depression.

Stanford University

This xenophobia may result in actual bloodshed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Eventually, these perspectives may result in action.

Harvard Business Review

Actions that may result in additional charges.

University of California, Berkeley

Violations may result in monetary penalties.

Stanford University

That visibility may result in new customers.

Cornell University

PDT may result in esophageal stricture.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Bioabsorbable anchors may result in loose bodies.

Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery

Failure to comply may result in arrest and prosecution.

The Guardian - Tech

Ageing eggs may result in abnormal embryos.

BBC

Adding Hawaii may result in additional growth.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may result in" to express a potential outcome, not a certainty. If the outcome is guaranteed, use "will result in".

Common error

Avoid using "may result in" when the outcome is definite. "May" indicates possibility, while "will" indicates certainty. Using "may" when "will" is appropriate can weaken your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may result in" functions as a causal connector, linking an action, event, or situation with a potential consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound phrase, widely used to express possibility. Examples show its versatility across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

26%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"May result in" is a versatile phrase used to express potential consequences. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across different contexts. Its neutral-to-formal register and common usage in science, news, and academic writing make it a valuable tool for expressing possibility without asserting certainty. Remember to differentiate it from "will result in", which indicates a guaranteed outcome. Using alternatives such as "could lead to" or "might cause" can add nuance to your writing, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could lead to

Indicates possibility but with less formality.

might cause

Implies a potential cause-and-effect relationship, focusing more on the cause.

can bring about

Suggests a more active role in causing the result.

potentially generate

Highlights the creation or production of something as a result.

has the potential to produce

Focuses on the inherent capability to create a specific outcome.

is liable to create

Indicates a higher probability of the result occurring, suggesting a tendency.

can give rise to

Similar to 'bring about' but often used for more abstract or complex outcomes.

is capable of causing

Emphasizes the ability to cause something, often implying a warning.

possibly trigger

Implies initiating a chain of events that lead to the result.

may engender

A more formal way of saying 'may cause', often used in academic or literary contexts.

FAQs

How do I use "may result in" correctly in a sentence?

Use "may result in" to indicate a possible, but not certain, outcome. For example, "Skipping your workout "may result in" decreased fitness levels."

What are some alternatives to "may result in"?

You can use alternatives like "could lead to", "might cause", or "can bring about" to express similar meanings.

Is there a difference between "may result in" and "will result in"?

"May result in" indicates a possibility, while "will result in" suggests a certainty. Use "may" when the outcome is not guaranteed and "will" when it is.

In what contexts is "may result in" most appropriate?

"May result in" is appropriate in various contexts, including academic, scientific, news, and general writing, where you need to express potential consequences without asserting them as definite facts.