there may be

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "there may be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate a possibility, for example: "There may be a way to solve this problem, we just have to look for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There may be sirens.

The New York Times

There may be more.

The Economist

There may be corruption.

Independent

There may be fraud.

Independent

But there may be none.

The New York Times

There may be fact-checking.

The Guardian

"There may be some crashing".

The New York Times

But there may be difficulties.

The Economist

There may be a few.

Independent

But there may be limits.

The Economist

Or there may be fewer.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there may be" to introduce possibilities or potential scenarios, especially when you want to avoid making definitive statements. It acknowledges uncertainty while still presenting an idea or option.

Common error

Avoid using "there may be" excessively without providing context or further explanation. Overuse can make your writing sound vague and indecisive. Always aim to provide additional information or clarify the potential scenarios you are introducing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there may be" functions as an existential qualifier, indicating the potential existence or occurrence of something. It softens a statement, suggesting possibility rather than certainty. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it introduces possibilities in news reports, academic discussions, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there may be" is a versatile phrase used to express possibility or uncertainty across a wide range of contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in news, academic, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of providing sufficient context to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "it is possible that" or "potentially there is" depending on the desired nuance. The phrase serves as a useful tool for introducing potential scenarios and outcomes without making definitive claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potentially, there is

Highlights the potential for something to exist or occur.

perhaps there is

Introduces a note of uncertainty, a simple way of saying there is a possibility.

it could be the case that

Suggests a hypothetical scenario or potential situation.

it is possible that there is

Rephrases the possibility using a more verbose and slightly more formal structure.

a possibility exists that

Focuses on the existence of a possibility as a concept.

it's not impossible that

Expresses possibility by negating impossibility, implying a slightly weaker likelihood.

there exists a chance of

Shifts the focus to the 'chance' or probability of something happening.

it is likely that there will be

Indicates a higher probability compared to "there may be".

it is conceivable that there exists

Indicates a possible situation, but with a more formal and less common tone.

it is within the realm of possibility that there is

Emphasizes that something is not outside the bounds of what could happen, very formal.

FAQs

How do I use "there may be" in a sentence?

"There may be" is used to express a possibility. For example, "There may be delays due to the weather" indicates that delays are possible but not certain.

What's the difference between "there may be" and "there might be"?

The phrases "there may be" and "there might be" are often interchangeable, both expressing possibility. "Might" sometimes suggests a slightly lower probability than "may", but the difference is subtle.

What are some alternatives to "there may be"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is possible that", "potentially there is", or "it could be the case that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to use "there may be" or "there might be"?

"There may be" is often considered slightly more formal than "there might be", although both are acceptable in most contexts. The choice depends on the overall tone and style of your writing.