may then be

USAGE SUMMARY

"may then be" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use "may then be" to express a potential result of an action or decision. For example, "If I don't pass my exam, I may then be required to retake the course."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This may then be a way of targeting this group.

BMC Public Health

Various supplementary criteria may then be invoked.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Curbishley may then be inclined to forgiveness.

The Guardian - Sport

The candidate may then be called "Venerable".

The Guardian

Those withdrawals may then be adjusted annually for inflation.

The New York Times

And she may then be the controlling stockholder.

The New York Times

The piece may then be polished to a sheen.

The New York Times

Patients may then be accountable for the balance.

The New York Times - Health

The ballots may then be reviewed for accuracy.

The New York Times

A whole generation may then be up for reappraisal.

The Guardian - Sport

An insurer may then be tempted to raise premiums.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may then be" to clearly indicate a sequence of events where one action or state potentially leads to another. It helps establish a logical connection between steps.

Common error

Avoid using "may then be" in sentences where a more direct and concise phrasing would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may then be" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating possibility or likelihood in a sequential context. It suggests that something is potentially true or will occur as a consequence of a previous action or condition. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may then be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a potential outcome or consequence in a sequence of events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a modal verb phrase, conveying possibility and conditionality. While suitable for various contexts, it's particularly common in scientific, news, and encyclopedic writing. It is important to use it when you want to show a likely outcome of a condition. Remember not to overuse it in sentences where more direct phrasing will suffice. Consider alternatives like "could subsequently be" or "might thereafter be" to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could subsequently be

Replaces "may" with "could" for a slightly weaker possibility, and "then" with "subsequently" to emphasize the sequential nature.

might thereafter be

Substitutes "may" with "might", indicating a similar level of possibility, and replaces "then" with "thereafter" for a more formal tone and sequential emphasis.

can consequently be

Replaces "may" with "can" to suggest a stronger possibility or ability, and "then" with "consequently" to highlight the resultative aspect.

could therefore be

Replaces "may" with "could" for a weaker possibility, while "therefore" specifies a logical consequence.

might accordingly be

Uses "might" for possibility and "accordingly" to indicate a conditional or consequential relationship.

can thus be

Replaces "may" with "can" to imply ability or possibility, and "then" with "thus" to denote a direct consequence or method.

might in turn be

Uses "might" for possibility and "in turn" to show a sequential reaction or consequence.

can as a result be

Employs "can" to indicate capability or potential and "as a result" to explicitly state the consequential relationship.

could as a consequence be

Combines "could" for a weaker possibility with "as a consequence" to clearly indicate a resulting effect.

might subsequently result in

Replaces "be" with "result in", shifting the focus from a state of being to the outcome of an action, while using "might subsequently" to convey possibility and sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "may then be" in a sentence?

Use "may then be" to indicate a possible outcome or consequence following a specific condition or action. For example: "If the experiment succeeds, the results "may then be" published".

What are some alternatives to "may then be"?

You can use alternatives such as "could subsequently be", "might thereafter be", or "can consequently be" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "may then be" and "will then be"?

"May then be" indicates a possibility, while "will then be" suggests a higher degree of certainty about the outcome. The choice depends on the level of confidence in the predicted result.

When is it appropriate to use "may then be" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "may then be" when you want to express a potential outcome that is contingent on a preceding event or condition, especially in formal or scientific writing.