may very

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may very" is not correct and does not form a standard expression in written English.
It is not typically used in any context, as it lacks clarity and grammatical structure. Example: "This may very well be the best option available."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He may very well succeed".

The New York Times

It may very well be higher.

The New Yorker

Mr Bolton may very well leave tomorrow.

The Economist

Your cellphone may very well contain them.

The New York Times

Saban may very well win in September.

The New York Times - Sports

That may very well be the case.

The New York Times

We may very well be.

Yale University

"That may very well lock people in.

The New York Times

But it may very well bomb Syria.

The Washington Post

AK: That may very well be true.

The Guardian - Film

They may very well believe that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "may very" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "may well", "might very well", or "could very well" to express possibility or likelihood.

Common error

Avoid redundant intensifiers. While "very" can amplify adjectives and adverbs, using it incorrectly with modal verbs like "may" can create ungrammatical phrases. Stick to established constructions like "may well".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may very" functions incorrectly as an attempt to express a high probability or likelihood. While the modal verb may indicates possibility, the addition of very without well (or a similar adverb) disrupts the standard grammatical structure. Ludwig AI indicates this construction is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science & Research

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "may very" appears in numerous sources, including reputable ones like The New York Times and The Guardian, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is to express a strong possibility. However, standard English dictates using alternatives such as "may well", "might very well", or "could very well" to achieve grammatical correctness and clarity. Therefore, avoid "may very" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may well

Replaces "very" with "well" to form a grammatically correct and commonly used expression of possibility.

might very well

Substitutes "may" with "might" but keeps the "very well" for a slightly weaker degree of certainty and maintains correct grammar.

could very well

Uses "could" instead of "may" to indicate a possibility, similar in meaning but with a slightly different connotation.

may likely

Replaces "very" with "likely", creating a grammatically sound alternative that suggests probability.

might likely

Combines "might" with "likely" for a variation that, although less common than "may likely", still conveys a similar sense of probability.

may possibly

Employs "possibly" as an alternative to "very" to indicate a degree of uncertainty or chance.

may conceivably

Utilizes "conceivably" to suggest something is within the realm of possibility, though perhaps not highly probable.

may perhaps

Adds "perhaps" as a modifier, indicating a tentative possibility or suggestion.

may be

Uses the basic form "may be" to express possibility, omitting the intensifying "very" for a more straightforward statement.

might be

Substitutes "may" with "might" to indicate a slightly lower degree of certainty, maintaining a simple expression of possibility.

FAQs

Is "may very" grammatically correct?

No, "may very" is not grammatically correct. The correct and idiomatic way to express a strong possibility is to use "may well", "might very well", or "could very well".

What does "may very" mean?

While "may very" is often intended to convey a strong possibility, it's grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is better expressed with phrases like "may well", which accurately conveys that something is quite likely to happen.

Which is correct, "may very" or "may well"?

"May well" is the correct and idiomatic phrase. "May very" is not a standard English construction and should be avoided in formal writing.

What can I say instead of "may very"?

Instead of "may very", use alternatives such as "may well", "might very well", or "could very well" to express a strong possibility in a grammatically correct way.