may well be

USAGE SUMMARY

"may well be" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express a possibility, often in response to a question. For example, "Could you run the errand for me?" "It may well be possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That may well be.

The New York Times

It may well be.

The Economist

They may well be.

The Economist

They may well be wrong.

The Economist

She may well be right.

The Economist

That may well be true.

The New York Times

It may well be postponed.

The Economist

That may well be right.

The Economist

It may well be filmed.

Independent

This may well be justified.

The Economist

It may well be true.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may well be" to express a strong possibility or likelihood, often when responding to a question or suggestion. It implies a higher degree of certainty than simply saying "may be".

Common error

While "may well be" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "likely to be" or "probably is" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may well be" functions as a modal auxiliary phrase expressing a strong degree of possibility or likelihood. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility in expressing potential outcomes, as seen across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may well be" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression indicating a strong possibility. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media, science, and formal business communications. It conveys a higher degree of likelihood compared to a simple "may be". While overuse should be avoided for stylistic reasons, "may well be" remains a valuable tool for expressing informed opinions and reasoned predictions. Authoritative sources like The Economist and The New York Times frequently employ this phrase, solidifying its place in standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could easily be

Replaces the modal verb "may" with "could" and adds "easily" to emphasize the possibility.

might very well be

Substitutes "may" with "might", suggesting a slightly weaker possibility, but retains "very well" for emphasis.

is likely to be

Replaces the modal phrase with an adjective phrase indicating probability.

is probably going to be

Uses "probably" to convey likelihood, adding "going to be" for a future-oriented perspective.

there's a good chance it is

Emphasizes the likelihood using the phrase "good chance".

it is quite possible that

Introduces the possibility more formally with an impersonal construction.

it's not unlikely that

Uses a double negative to indicate a reasonable possibility.

it's conceivable that

Suggests that something is imaginable or believable, though not necessarily probable.

it's quite on the cards that

An idiomatic expression indicating a likely outcome or event.

it is within the realm of possibility

A formal phrase indicating that something is possible, though not necessarily probable.

FAQs

How does "may well be" differ from "may be"?

"May well be" suggests a stronger possibility or likelihood compared to the more neutral "may be". It implies a higher degree of confidence in the potential outcome.

What are some alternatives to "may well be" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "is likely to be", "is probable", or "is quite possible" as alternatives to "may well be".

Is "may well be" suitable for academic writing?

"May well be" is generally acceptable in academic writing, but it's essential to consider the overall tone and style of your work. More formal alternatives might be preferred in certain disciplines or contexts.

Can I use "may well be" to express certainty?

No, "may well be" expresses a high degree of possibility, but it does not indicate certainty. If you want to express certainty, use phrases like "is certainly", "is undoubtedly", or "will definitely".