may slightly be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may slightly be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility or likelihood of something being true to a small extent. Example: "The results of the experiment may slightly be affected by external factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Based on numerical simulations, the spectrum utilization when taking the narrowband interference may slightly be reduced to 90% under the FCC spectral emission mask.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Therefore, the seroprevalences may slightly be overestimated in the cohorts that have been eligible for MenC vaccination.

Plosone

On the basis of the studies discussed here, SBRT may provide more local efficacy but may slightly be more toxic than RFA and is associated with similar midterm survival outcomes as RFA.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

They will likely appear red, slightly swollen, and may or may not be slightly painful.

WikiHow

In any given year, any particular group may be slightly above or slightly below 100percentt.

TechCrunch

In addition, in many natural settings a mutation may be slightly deleterious or slightly advantageous.

Biology Direct

"We may even be slightly better off than last year.

BBC

Intellectual development may also be slightly retarded.

Wikipedia

Overall estimates of survival may thus be slightly high.

British Journal of Cancer

The needles used may be slightly arrowheaded or may have extremely fine points.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The hamster may be slightly stressed, and may be unwilling to adapt, but give it time.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may slightly be" when you want to express a modest possibility or a minor degree of something, avoiding strong or definitive statements.

Common error

Avoid using "may slightly be" when the evidence strongly suggests a higher degree of certainty. In such cases, opt for more definitive language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may slightly be" functions as a modal verb phrase that expresses a possibility or likelihood, but to a limited extent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English, and the examples showcase its role in expressing tentative assessments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may slightly be" is a modal verb phrase used to express a possibility or likelihood to a small degree. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, indicating a tentative or cautious assessment. Related phrases include "might possibly be" and "could marginally be", offering similar meanings with subtle variations in formality or emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the level of certainty supported by evidence and avoid overstating the degree of likelihood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might possibly be

Replaces "may" with "might" and adds "possibly" for emphasis, indicating a slightly stronger possibility.

could marginally be

Substitutes "may" with "could" and "slightly" with "marginally", offering a more formal tone.

may perhaps be

Replaces "slightly" with "perhaps" to express uncertainty or possibility.

may conceivably be

Uses "conceivably" instead of "slightly" to suggest something is within the realm of possibility.

may even be

Emphasizes that something is possible, introducing a nuance of surprise.

might just be

Implies a hint of possibility, but in a more casual way.

may reasonably be

Suggests that there is a logical basis for the possibility.

might plausibly be

Indicates a situation is believable, though not definitively true.

may circumstantially be

Implies that surrounding circumstances suggest a certain outcome.

can realistically be

Suggests the possibility is feasible and based on realistic conditions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "may slightly be" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "could marginally be" or "may conceivably be", which convey a similar level of possibility with increased sophistication.

What is the difference between "may slightly be" and "might slightly be"?

While both "may slightly be" and "might slightly be" express a possibility, "may" often indicates a slightly higher degree of likelihood than "might". However, in most contexts, they are interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use "may slightly be" in academic writing?

In academic writing, "may slightly be" is suitable when presenting tentative findings or hypotheses, indicating a possibility without making a definitive claim. It's crucial to support such statements with evidence.

Can I use "may slightly be" in negative sentences?

Yes, "may slightly be" can be used in negative sentences. For example, "The results may slightly be inaccurate" indicates a small possibility of inaccuracy.