may succeed

USAGE SUMMARY

"may succeed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a possibility or potential outcome in the future. Here is an example: "He is determined to work hard and may succeed in achieving his goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both strategies may succeed.

The Economist

He may succeed.

The Economist

He may succeed at last.

The Economist

Ray, however, may succeed.

The Guardian

may succeed in winning Congressional approval.

The New Yorker

It may succeed in its aim.

The Economist

It may succeed or not.

The New York Times - Arts

"You may succeed in silencing one man.

The Guardian

He may succeed; he may not.

Harvard Business Review

In that goal, sadly, it may succeed — at least temporarily.

The New Yorker

A few may succeed in spite of the barriers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may succeed" to express a tentative prediction or a hopeful possibility, particularly when the outcome is uncertain but not improbable. For instance, "With consistent effort, she "may succeed" in achieving her goals".

Common error

Avoid using "may succeed" when the context suggests a high degree of certainty. Instead of saying "Given his expertise, he "may succeed"", which implies doubt, opt for "Given his expertise, he is likely to succeed" to reflect greater confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may succeed" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express possibility or potential. As Ludwig AI points out, it suggests that an outcome is not certain but is within the realm of possibility. For instance, "He may succeed if he works hard."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may succeed" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a possibility or potential outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is versatile, appearing across various contexts from News & Media to Science, with a generally neutral to formal register. While expressing a degree of uncertainty, "may succeed" offers a balanced way to convey potential without overstating certainty. For situations demanding stronger conviction, alternatives such as "is likely to succeed" might be more appropriate. Its widespread use in authoritative sources underscores its reliability in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is possible to succeed

Adds explicit subject and verb.

might achieve success

Replaces "succeed" with a more descriptive phrase "achieve success" and "may" with "might", slightly softening the possibility.

can potentially succeed

Combines modal verb "can" and adverb "potentially" expressing possibility.

could be successful

Changes the verb to "be successful" and "may" to "could", expressing a conditional possibility.

has the potential to succeed

Uses a more formal structure to emphasize the inherent possibility of success.

is capable of succeeding

Changes the focus from possibility to the capability of the subject.

is likely to succeed

Indicates a higher probability of success compared to "may succeed".

stands a chance of succeeding

Emphasizes the presence of an opportunity for success, though not a guarantee.

possibly triumph

Replaces "succeed" with "triumph" to suggest a more significant victory; uses "possibly" for "may".

there's a chance of success

Nominalizes the verb "succeed" into "success" to make it a phrase expressing a general possibility.

FAQs

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

Use "may succeed" to indicate a possibility or potential outcome. For example, "If they invest wisely, they "may succeed" in doubling their profits."

What are some alternatives to "may succeed"?

Alternatives include "might succeed", "could succeed", or "has the potential to succeed", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it more appropriate to use "will succeed" instead of "may succeed"?

"Will succeed" implies a higher degree of certainty based on current conditions or commitments. Use "will succeed" when you are confident in the outcome, whereas "may succeed" suggests a possibility that is not guaranteed.

What's the difference between "may succeed" and "might succeed"?

Both "may succeed" and "might succeed" express possibility, but "might" often suggests a slightly lower probability or a more conditional scenario compared to "may".