may still exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may still exist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility that something continues to be present or relevant despite changes or the passage of time. Example: "Although the original documents were lost, copies may still exist in the archives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A stumbling block may still exist.

The New York Times

Those consequences may still exist, even 11 years on.

The Guardian

Time-wise variations, corresponding to axial variations in tube flow, may still exist.

Chemical Engineering Research and Design

The problem becomes dangerous when we ignore an outdated sign when a hazard may still exist.

Princeton University

So the potential for harm from the poison may still exist despite the use of ipecac.

Harvard University

The evidence from this episode suggests that problems may still exist at the FCA.

The Guardian - Business

More to the point, some may still exist in corners of the planet".

The Guardian

Several say the paper misinterpreted the genetics and history of the kouprey, which may still exist in domesticated form.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Consequently, the potential for a damaging earthquake on the San Andreas in the Santa Cruz mountains may still exist.

University of California, Berkeley

Such overwhelming support may still exist for the execution of Timothy J. McVeigh, but not for the death penalty generally.

The New York Times

"It may still exist today although we have tried very hard to find it without any success".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may still exist" to indicate a possibility or potential for something to be present despite changes, time, or other factors. This suggests uncertainty without definitively confirming absence.

Common error

Avoid using "may still exist" when there's concrete evidence of something's absence or destruction. Opt for phrases that reflect a higher degree of certainty if evidence supports it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may still exist" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility and continuation. It combines the modal verb 'may' indicating potential, with 'still' suggesting ongoing presence, and 'exist' denoting being or reality. Ludwig AI shows its usage across various contexts, confirming its role in expressing uncertainty about something's current state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may still exist" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express the possibility that something continues to be present or relevant. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. While suggesting uncertainty, it avoids definitively confirming the absence of something. Related phrases include "might still be present" and "could still be around", offering nuanced alternatives. When using "may still exist", be mindful of overstating certainty and opt for stronger expressions when evidence supports it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might still be present

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

could still be around

Uses "could" and "around" to convey possibility and continued presence in a more informal way.

may continue to exist

Replaces "still" with "continue to", emphasizing the ongoing nature of existence.

may yet exist

Uses "yet" to suggest that existence is still a possibility in the future.

may persist

Replaces "still exist" with the single verb "persist", indicating a continuing presence despite challenges.

it is possible that it still exists

Adds a more formal and explicit structure using "it is possible that".

the potential remains

Shifts focus to the potential for existence, rather than directly stating existence.

it is conceivable that it still exists

Emphasizes the conceivability of continued existence.

it cannot be ruled out that it still exists

Emphasizes that continued existence remains a plausible scenario.

survival is still possible

Focuses on survival as a form of continued existence.

FAQs

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

You can use "may still exist" to suggest that something might be present or relevant, even if its existence isn't certain. For example, "Although the original blueprints were lost, copies "may still exist" in the archives".

What is a more formal way to say "may still exist"?

A more formal alternative is "it is possible that it "still exists"" or "the potential remains for its existence".

What does "may still exist" imply about certainty?

"May still exist" suggests a level of uncertainty. It indicates that while something's existence hasn't been disproven, it also hasn't been confirmed. It is less certain than stating that something "does exist".

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

The difference is subtle. "Might still exist" implies a slightly lower probability than ""may still exist"". Both suggest uncertainty, but "might" can suggest a more remote possibility.