may take

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may take" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate possibility or permission regarding an action that could occur in the future. Example: "The project may take longer than expected due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It may take longer.

The Economist

That may take time.

The Economist

That may take some time.

The Economist

"It may take some time".

The New York Times

The journey may take decades.

The Economist

Georgians may take some persuading.

The Economist

Soon it may take hours".

The New York Times

These studies may take years.

The New York Times

Varoufakis may take the bait.

The Guardian

Sock may take a set.

The New York Times

Their transfer may take months.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may take" when indicating a reasonable possibility or expectation of time or effort required. For example, "Completing the project old{may take} several weeks" suggests a likely, but not certain, timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using "old{may take}" without providing context about what specifically is being taken. Instead of saying "This old{may take} a while", specify what action or process old{may take} a while to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "old{may take}" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating possibility or probability. It suggests that an action or process has the potential to require a certain amount of time, effort, or resources, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

33%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "old{may take}" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express possibility or probability, particularly regarding time or resources. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific articles. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to provide sufficient context when using the phrase to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of simply saying "This old{may take} a while", specify what action old{may take} a while. Alternative phrases like "could require" or "might necessitate" can be used to convey similar meanings. Considering its prevalent use and clear grammatical function, "old{may take}" is a valuable addition to any writer's toolbox.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could require

Indicates possibility and necessity, focusing on the required aspect of the action.

might necessitate

Emphasizes the need for something to happen as a result of the action, with a slightly stronger implication.

could potentially involve

Highlights the potential inclusion of something as part of the action.

might demand

Focuses on the demanding aspect of the action, suggesting a requirement of effort or resources.

could possibly last

Specifically addresses the duration aspect, indicating the potential length of the action.

may well entail

Emphasizes that the action is very likely to include or lead to something.

it's conceivable that it will

Introduces uncertainty about future, focusing on hypothetical cases.

it's not out of the question that it will

Highlights that an action is not impossible or improbable.

can be expected to

Suggests that an event or action is anticipated or likely to occur.

it is anticipated that it will

Introduces the idea of prediction about a future event, focusing on probability of happening.

FAQs

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

The phrase "may take" is used to express the possibility that something will require a certain amount of time, effort, or resources. For instance, "The repair old{may take} several hours", or "Learning a new language "may take years"".

What are some alternatives to "may take"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "could require", "might necessitate", or "could potentially involve" as alternatives to "old{may take}".

Is it correct to say "might take" instead of "may take"?

Yes, "might take" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "old{may take}". Both phrases convey a similar meaning of possibility or uncertainty about the duration or effort required for something. The subtle difference is that might suggests a slightly lower probability than may.

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

"Will take" expresses a higher degree of certainty than "old{may take}". If you say something "will take" a certain amount of time, you are indicating that it is almost guaranteed to require that amount of time. "old{May take}" implies a possibility, but not a certainty.