may stop

USAGE SUMMARY

"may stop" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is a form of the verb "stop" in the auxiliary modal tense, indicating possibility or permission. Example: "You may stop here to rest if you'd like." This sentence suggests that the person has the choice or permission to stop for a break. Another example: "The rain may stop by midday." This sentence suggests the possibility that the rain will cease by a certain time. "May stop" can also be used in the negative form, such as "You may not stop here, it's against the law." This indicates that the person is not allowed to stop in that particular location.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many users may stop there.

The Economist

The example may stop there.

The New York Times

Julianne Moore may stop by.

The New Yorker

Officials may stop talking to your journalists.

The Economist

Legal argument may stop this inversion.

Yale University

I may stop in this time".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Depolymerizing microtubules may stop shrinking and resume growth.

Current Biology

The species may stop reproducing, but who the hell cares.

The New Yorker

They may stop claiming – but not necessarily go to work.

The Guardian

"They may stop caring for themselves," says Macdonald.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A few of the recollections may stop you cold.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may stop", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a possibility or permission. For example, "The rain may stop soon" (possibility) versus "You may stop working now" (permission).

Common error

Avoid using "may stop" when you want to express certainty. "May" indicates possibility, not a guarantee. If something is certain to stop, use phrases like "will stop" or "is going to stop" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may stop" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing possibility or permission. As Ludwig AI confirms, it combines the modal auxiliary verb "may" with the base form of the verb "stop" to indicate that an action could happen or is allowed to happen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may stop" functions as a modal verb phrase to express possibility or permission. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic writing, reflecting a neutral to formal register. When using "may stop", ensure clarity in distinguishing between possibility and permission. For alternatives, consider "might halt", "could cease", or "can discontinue", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember that "may stop" expresses possibility, not certainty, and that it is different from "will stop", which indicates definite future action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might halt

Replaces "may" with "might" and "stop" with "halt", both indicating possibility and cessation respectively.

could cease

Substitutes "may" with "could" and "stop" with "cease", offering similar meanings of potential action.

can discontinue

Employs "can" to suggest possibility and "discontinue" to replace "stop", implying an interruption.

might terminate

Uses "might" instead of "may" and "terminate" in place of "stop", suggesting a potential end.

could break off

Replaces "stop" with "break off", implying the possibility of an abrupt end or interruption.

can come to a standstill

Offers a more descriptive alternative using "come to a standstill" instead of simply "stop".

might be suspended

Substitutes "stop" with "be suspended", indicating a potential temporary cessation.

could be interrupted

Replaces "stop" with "be interrupted", suggesting a possible disruption or halt.

might fail to continue

Provides a more detailed alternative, replacing "stop" with "fail to continue".

can draw to a close

Offers a more formal alternative using "draw to a close" instead of "stop".

FAQs

How can I use "may stop" in a sentence?

The phrase "may stop" indicates a possibility or permission. Examples include: "The bus "may stop" at the next corner", indicating possibility, and "You "may stop" working on this task", indicating permission.

What are some alternatives to "may stop"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "might halt", "could cease", or "can discontinue" to convey a similar meaning of potential action or cessation.

Which is correct, "may stop" or "might stopped"?

"May stop" is the correct form. "Might stopped" is grammatically incorrect because "might" is a modal verb, and it should be followed by the base form of the verb, which is "stop".

What's the difference between "may stop" and "will stop"?

"May stop" indicates a possibility, while "will stop" indicates a future certainty. "The meeting "may stop" early" suggests it's possible, but not guaranteed. "The meeting "will stop" at 5 PM" indicates it is scheduled to end at that time.