may well not

USAGE SUMMARY

'may well not' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express uncertainty or suggest that something is unlikely to happen. For example: "Given the current economic climate, it may well not be the best time to take a vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He may well not have been hungry.

The Economist

Those decisions may well not hold.

The Economist

They may well not understand the tragedy.

The New York Times

China's economy may well not be slowing.

The New York Times

HMRC may well not see the branch accounts at all.

The Guardian - Business

But in my experience she may well not.

The Guardian - Books

In future, journalism may well not be like that.

The Guardian - Tech

The Potus may well not be the only casualty.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"They may well not be enough," he said.

The New York Times

There may well not be any measurable change at all.

The New York Times

Poland may well not get the money it wants.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "may well not" with a qualifying statement to provide context or justification for your assessment. For example, "Given the project's current challenges, it may well not be completed on time."

Common error

Avoid using "may well not" when you intend to express near certainty. The phrase implies a genuine possibility, however slim. If you are virtually certain something will not happen, use stronger language like "definitely won't" or "is highly unlikely to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may well not" functions as a modal construction indicating a degree of uncertainty or low probability. It modifies a verb phrase, suggesting that an action or event is unlikely to occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase expresses uncertainty. Examples show usage in formal writing across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may well not" is a grammatically sound modal phrase used to express uncertainty or a low probability of an event occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly found in diverse sources, particularly News & Media and Science, indicating a neutral to formal register. While similar to phrases like "might not" or "probably won't", it carries a nuanced meaning of reasoned uncertainty, making it suitable for situations where a cautious prediction is required. When writing, be mindful of the subtle difference in meaning of the similar phrases might not, "probably won't".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might not

Expresses a possibility that something will not happen; slightly less emphatic than the original.

could well not

Suggests a weaker possibility or condition compared to "may well not".

it's unlikely to

Emphasizes the low probability of an event occurring.

probably won't

Indicates a strong expectation that something will not happen.

is unlikely to

States that something is improbable, focusing on the inherent nature of the subject.

it's doubtful that

Highlights the uncertainty or lack of confidence in a particular outcome.

it's questionable whether

Raises doubts about the certainty or validity of a particular outcome.

possibly not

Expresses a moderate degree of uncertainty or doubt.

conceivably not

Indicates a potential, though perhaps unlikely, negative outcome.

perhaps not

Suggests uncertainty with a slightly more tentative tone.

FAQs

How can I use "may well not" in a sentence?

Use "may well not" to express a degree of uncertainty about a future event or outcome. For example, "The company "may well not" meet its quarterly targets given the current economic downturn."

What's a formal alternative to "may well not"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it is unlikely that" or "it is doubtful whether" instead of ""may well not"" to maintain a professional tone.

How does "may well not" differ from "probably won't"?

"May well not" expresses a possibility, albeit a small one, that something will not occur. "Probably won't" implies a stronger expectation that something will not happen, suggesting a higher degree of certainty.

Is "may well not" the same as "might not"?

While similar, "may well not" often suggests a slightly stronger degree of improbability than "might not". "May well not" can imply that there are specific reasons to believe something will not happen, whereas "might not" is more general.