may seize on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may seize on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone might take advantage of or focus on a particular idea or opportunity. Example: "The researchers may seize on this new data to support their hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Some people may seize on this claim.

The New York Times

Political strategists, searching for ideas powerful enough to consolidate the country around Mr. Putin, may seize on fighting corruption as a Kremlin effort, and recent steps hint at a populist push to expose and punish guilty officials.

The New York Times

Fatah politicians may seize on this to provoke factional strife.

The Economist

Herbalife's critics may seize on the low number of complaints against Fortune Hi-Tech to bolster their case.

The New York Times

Given expanding opportunities for automation, firms may seize on higher wage-floors as an excuse to reorganise production and shed jobs.

The Economist

[Page C1.] Indeed, his resignation may bring significant change to the Big Board, under pressure from critics who may seize on weakness at the institution.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

It seems that the first Times headline writer to seize on the device may have seen it as a timely pop-culture reference, not a hoary literary cliché: it was in 1877, Dickens had been dead just seven years and the novel was less than 20 years old.

The New York Times

There is danger in presenting such figures: for lack of other monetary calculations, they may be seized on and quoted, as though no caveats had been made.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Some suggested that Putin's rhetoric about a "fifth column" inside Russia had created an atmosphere of hatred that may have been seized on by radical nationalists, while others implied Putin may have ordered the killing.

The Guardian

Some suggested Putin's rhetoric about a "fifth column" inside Russia had created an atmosphere of hatred that may have been seized on by radical nationalists, while others implied Putin may have ordered the killing.

The Guardian

In the case of Kelo v New London, it ruled, by five votes to four, that the state may seize private property on behalf of private developers, so long as this serves some broadly defined public purpose, such as increasing the flow of taxes into public coffers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may seize on" when you want to express that someone might take advantage of a situation, idea, or opportunity. Ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the seizing and what they are seizing upon.

Common error

While "may seize on" is acceptable, consider using more precise verbs like "capitalize", "exploit", or "utilize" in formal writing to convey the intended meaning more directly and avoid potential ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may seize on" functions as a modal verb phrase followed by a prepositional phrase. It indicates a possibility or potential action, where someone might take advantage of or focus intently on something. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is generally correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may seize on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a potential or speculative action of taking advantage of an opportunity or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its primary function is to express a predicted course of action, often observed in News & Media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific context and choose the most precise wording – such as "capitalize", "exploit", or "utilize" - to avoid ambiguity and maintain formality where required. Related phrases like "might capitalize on" or "could exploit" offer similar meanings with slight variations. Therefore, writers should use "may seize on" judiciously, ensuring it aligns with the intended tone and meaning of their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might capitalize on

Emphasizes exploiting an opportunity, slightly stronger than simply focusing on it.

could exploit

Implies taking advantage, possibly in a negative way.

might take advantage of

Suggests using something for one's benefit, often with a slightly opportunistic connotation.

could latch onto

Implies quickly and eagerly adopting an idea or opportunity.

might jump at

Suggests eagerly accepting an opportunity.

could grab hold of

Emphasizes taking control or possession of something, in this case, an opportunity.

might make use of

Focuses on utilizing something effectively.

could build upon

Suggests developing something further from an existing base.

might pick up on

Implies noticing and understanding something subtle.

could emphasize

Focuses on highlighting or giving importance to a particular aspect.

FAQs

What does "may seize on" mean?

The phrase "may seize on" means to take advantage of something, to quickly focus on it, or to exploit an opportunity.

What can I say instead of "may seize on"?

You can use alternatives like "might capitalize on", "could exploit", or "might take advantage of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "may seize on"?

Yes, the phrase "may seize on" is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media.

How to use "may seize on" in a sentence?

Example: "Political strategists, searching for ideas powerful enough to consolidate the country around Mr Putin, "may seize on" fighting corruption as a Kremlin effort."