may still be

USAGE SUMMARY

"may still be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a possibility or potential for continued existence, occurrence, or relevance of something. For example, "Violent weather patterns in this region may still be the cause of last year's loss in crop production."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It may still be.

The New Yorker

That may still be true.

The Economist

Parents may still be adrift.

The New York Times - Books

That may still be.

The New York Times

He may still be proved right.

The New York Times

But they may still be vulnerable.

The New York Times

That may still be the strategy.

The Economist

That wisdom may still be correct.

The New York Times

But making money may still be tricky.

The Economist

Their shoes may still be performing.

The New York Times

Some jobs may still be cut.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may still be" to express a degree of uncertainty about a continuing state or future outcome. It's suitable when you want to acknowledge a possibility without asserting it as a certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "may still be" when the context requires a more definitive statement. If evidence strongly suggests a particular outcome, opt for more assertive language to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may still be" functions as a modal phrase, indicating a possibility or a potential for something to continue or exist. It combines the modal verb 'may' with 'still' to suggest continuation, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may still be" is a versatile modal phrase used to express possibility and uncertainty about ongoing or future situations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It's prevalent in news, scientific, and academic writing. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "could still be" or "might still be" to fine-tune the degree of uncertainty. Avoid overusing it in definitive statements to maintain credibility and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could still be

Replaces "may" with "could", suggesting a slightly weaker possibility.

might still be

Similar to "could still be", indicating a possibility that is perhaps less likely than "may still be".

could continue to be

Emphasizes the continuation aspect more strongly than the original phrase.

might continue to be

Similar to "could continue to be" but with a slightly less certain tone.

is possibly still

Rephrases the modal verb construction to use "possibly", changing the sentence structure.

is perhaps still

Similar to "is possibly still", indicating a degree of uncertainty.

could conceivably be

Adds emphasis to the conceivability of the possibility.

might conceivably be

Similar to "could conceivably be" but slightly less assertive.

remains a possibility

Shifts the focus to the enduring possibility of something.

there's a chance it still is

Uses a more informal and conversational tone to express the possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "may still be" in a sentence?

Use "may still be" to indicate a possibility or potential for something to continue or exist. For example, "Despite the challenges, the project "may still be" viable."

What are some alternatives to "may still be"?

You can use alternatives such as "could still be", "might still be", or "is "possibly still"" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "may still be" versus "is definitely"?

"May still be" is used when there's uncertainty or a degree of doubt, whereas "is definitely" implies certainty. Choose ""may still be"" when acknowledging a possibility without asserting it as a fact.

Is there a difference between "may still be" and "might still be"?

While both phrases express possibility, "may still be" suggests a slightly higher degree of likelihood compared to "might still be". The choice depends on the level of uncertainty you want to convey.