may suspect that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may suspect that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a possibility or uncertainty regarding someone's beliefs or thoughts about a situation. Example: "The detective may suspect that the witness is withholding information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One may suspect that size normalization could be indicative of different processes, some of which may be deleterious due to the abnormal developmental timing.

Acta neuropathologica communications

We may suspect that Mrs. Woolf agrees with him.

The Guardian - Books

He may suspect that the price of his sale will repay a previous debt.

Yale University

Some readers may suspect that Shiller, a Yale professor, underestimates the materialism of Manhattan and Greenwich.

The New York Times - Books

Segal's readers may suspect that the real villain is the American medical system.

The New York Times - Books

One may suspect that some used his doctrines even while joining in attacks on him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One may suspect that such numbers would be quite rare, but actually, the opposite is true.

The New York Times

And they may suspect that their own best work is already behind them.

The New Yorker

If they refuse to sign, superiors may suspect that they were the source of a leak.

The New York Times

You may suspect that you have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) if you experience numbness, tingling, and weakness in your hand.

Harvard University

We may suspect that race was the cause of the hostility; but it is not so averred.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "may suspect that" with hedging language, like "it seems", "appears", or "suggests", to further soften the statement and avoid making definitive claims.

Common error

Avoid using "may suspect that" when you have concrete evidence or strong proof. In such cases, a more assertive phrase like "it is clear that" or "we know that" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may suspect that" functions as a modal verb phrase introducing a clause that expresses a tentative belief, hypothesis, or suspicion. It indicates a possibility or a degree of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may suspect that" is a versatile phrase used to express a tentative belief or suspicion. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical structure is correct, and it can be used effectively across various writing styles. Ludwig's analysis shows its frequent occurrence in news, scientific and academic contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of overstating certainty and consider employing softer alternatives like "might think that" or "could believe that" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might think that

Replaces "suspect" with "think", softening the implication of doubt or mistrust.

could believe that

Emphasizes the possibility of belief rather than suspicion.

might assume that

Suggests a presumption based on limited evidence.

could imagine that

Indicates a hypothetical scenario or possibility.

might surmise that

Implies an inference or conjecture based on available information.

could guess that

Suggests a less formal and potentially less accurate estimation.

might consider that

Introduces the idea as one possible option or viewpoint.

it is possible that they think

More formal and explicitly states the possibility of their thinking something.

it is conceivable that

Emphasizes the plausibility of a certain thought or belief.

one might infer that

Highlights the act of drawing a conclusion based on reasoning.

FAQs

What does "may suspect that" mean?

The phrase "may suspect that" expresses a possibility or tentative belief about someone's thoughts or actions. It indicates a level of uncertainty and is often used when there isn't definitive proof.

How can I use "may suspect that" in a sentence?

You can use "may suspect that" to introduce a cautious observation or inference, such as: "The detective "may suspect that" the witness is withholding information".

What are some alternatives to "may suspect that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might think that", "could believe that", or "might assume that", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "may suspect that" or "might suspect that"?

Both "may suspect that" and "might suspect that" are grammatically correct and express a similar degree of possibility. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.