that may happen

USAGE SUMMARY

"that may happen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are unsure of the outcome of a situation or to describe a potential event. For example, "The company may decide to move locations, but that may happen only if sales improve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's the great challenge that may happen.

The Washington Post

Roberts said the earliest that may happen is spring 2017.

The Guardian - Business

"We are not dealing with the problems that may happen somewhere in the world.

The Guardian - Sport

But what about the things that may happen in twenty, fifty, or a hundred years?

The New Yorker

There are times when technology investors focus on the good things that may happen.

The New York Times

A label is an event that may happen to a site.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

That's a dream that may happen in 10 years but I can't predict that far out.

BBC

"The things that may happen on a football pitch should be judged by the referee.

BBC

You're also responsible for paying payroll taxes and any worker-related injuries that may happen.

HuffPost

There are two things that may happen to this patient on a given day.

BMC Infectious Diseases

First, in score function, it considers time lags that may happen in biological processes.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that may happen", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'that' refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "that may happen" can make writing sound hesitant. In formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "that is probable" or "that will likely occur" to convey more confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that may happen" functions as a clause expressing possibility or potential. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It typically serves as a comment or qualification regarding a situation or event under discussion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that may happen" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a possibility or potential occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across a spectrum of contexts, although overuse in formal writing should be avoided. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse applications, particularly in news, scientific discussions, and general commentary. The phrase serves to acknowledge potential outcomes while conveying uncertainty. Alternatives like ""that could occur"" or ""that is possible"" can be employed to add nuance or adjust the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that could occur

Replaces "may" with "could", indicating a similar level of possibility.

that might happen

Substitutes "may" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability.

that is possible

Uses a more direct expression of possibility instead of a modal verb.

that is conceivable

Emphasizes the possibility from an intellectual or theoretical standpoint.

it is a possibility

Shifts the focus to the existence of a possibility.

that could be the case

Expresses the potential for something to be true or factual.

that is a potential outcome

Highlights the phrase as a possible result or consequence.

that is a likely scenario

Suggests a higher probability than "that may happen".

that is within the realm of possibility

Indicates that something is theoretically possible, even if unlikely.

events might unfold that way

Rephrases the concept to focus on the unfolding of events in a particular manner.

FAQs

How can I use "that may happen" in a sentence?

"That may happen" is used to express a possibility or potential occurrence. For example, "The project might face delays, but "that may happen" only if unforeseen circumstances arise".

What are some alternatives to saying "that may happen"?

You can use alternatives like "that could occur", "that might happen", or "that is possible" depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "that may happen" or "that could happen"?

The phrases "that may happen" and "that could happen" are generally interchangeable and have similar levels of formality. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use "that may happen"?

It might be inappropriate to use "that may happen" when you need to express a high degree of certainty or when discussing established facts. In such cases, use stronger and more definitive language.