may therefore be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may therefore be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to connect the conclusion of an argument with a potential outcome. For example, "Given the evidence, it is likely that the suspect is guilty. He may therefore be tried in court."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Music shops may therefore be associated with strong nostalgic memories".

The Guardian - Business

Mr Rajapaksa's target may therefore be unfeasible.

The Economist

It may therefore be prudent to give intuition and emotions due consideration when developing internationalisation strategies.

The Guardian

Among the privileged, nature and nurture may therefore be conspiring to promote intellectual pre-eminence.

The Guardian - Film

It may therefore be worth restoring the balance by mentioning a few more.

The Guardian - Sport

Onyx-015 may therefore be effective against a wide range of tumor types, he believes.

The New York Times - Health

A Cameron endorsement of Macleod may, therefore, be a step too far.

The Guardian

The sexual orientation of the holder of that post may therefore be a genuine occupational requirement.

The Guardian - Money

Your insurance may therefore be invalidated - and the bureaucracy of getting in will be a headache.

The Guardian - Travel

Some economists fear that this downturn may therefore be atypically long and painful.

The New Yorker

They may therefore be referred to as constituent agreements.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and context. While generally appropriate, "may therefore be" can sometimes sound overly formal. Choose alternative phrasing if a more casual tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "may therefore be" excessively in informal writing or conversations. Its formal tone can sound stilted or pretentious in casual settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "so" or "thus" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may therefore be" functions as a causal connector, linking a premise or condition to a potential consequence or conclusion. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It suggests a logical relationship between ideas, indicating a degree of probability rather than certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may therefore be" is a versatile phrase used to express a potential consequence or logical deduction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While appropriate for formal writing like scientific reports and news articles, it should be used judiciously in informal contexts. Consider alternatives such as "could consequently be" or "might thus be" to fine-tune the tone. When using "may therefore be", ensure it accurately reflects the level of certainty you intend to convey, distinguishing it from phrases like "will therefore be" which suggest a higher degree of certainty. The phrase's prevalence across diverse sources underscores its utility in presenting reasoned conclusions and establishing cause-and-effect relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might thus be

Replaces 'therefore' with 'thus', offering a slightly more formal tone.

could consequently be

Substitutes 'therefore' with 'consequently', emphasizing a direct result.

might as a result be

Replaces 'therefore' with 'as a result', providing a more explicit causal link.

can hence be

Uses 'hence' instead of 'therefore', suggesting a logical deduction.

it follows that it may be

Introduces a more formal and explicit logical sequence.

it is plausible that it is

Shifts focus slightly from direct consequence to plausibility.

it is possible that it will be

Emphasizes the possibility of a future state.

it is potentially

Shortens the phrase while retaining the sense of possibility.

it is likely to be

Conveys a higher degree of probability than "may be".

the result could be

Focuses on the outcome or result, rather than the reasoning process.

FAQs

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

Use "may therefore be" to show a likely consequence or conclusion. For example, "The evidence suggests he was at the scene; he "may therefore be" a suspect."

What are some alternatives to "may therefore be"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "could consequently be", "might thus be", or "can hence be".

Is "may therefore be" formal or informal?

"May therefore be" leans towards the formal side. It's suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic writing but "might be" too stilted for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "may therefore be" and "will therefore be"?

"May therefore be" indicates a possibility or likelihood, whereas "will therefore be" implies a higher degree of certainty. "May" suggests a potential outcome, while "will" suggests a more definite result. Using "will therefore be" assumes that a future event is guaranteed to happen.