they may come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they may come" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the possibility or likelihood of someone or something arriving or appearing. Example: "If the weather improves, they may come to the picnic later in the afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They may come again.

The New York Times

But they may come back.

The Economist

They may come back.

The New Yorker

But they may come to regret that choice.

The Economist

If Mr Gore wins, they may come down.

The Economist

One day they may come to rue their complaisance.

The Economist

They may come to be treated like other international students.

The Guardian

They may come across as harsh, cold, impatient.

The New York Times - Magazine

They may go and they may come back.

The Guardian

They may come from the daily paper or the magazine.

The New York Times

They may come, in effect, to teach themselves. 5. Learn.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they may come" to express a possibility or uncertainty about someone or something arriving, occurring, or becoming available in the future. This phrase is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from casual conversations to more formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they may come" when you are certain about their arrival. Instead, use phrases like "they will come" or "they are coming" to indicate certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they may come" functions as a statement of possibility. Ludwig AI confirms that the modal verb "may" indicates uncertainty regarding a future event. Examples show it expressing potential actions or arrivals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they may come" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates a possibility or uncertainty about a future event. As Ludwig AI indicates, it functions as a statement of potential, serving to make tentative predictions or conditional statements. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for a wide range of contexts, with particularly frequent use in news, scientific, and wiki-based sources. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's essential to avoid using it when certainty exists. By understanding its proper usage, writers can effectively convey nuances of possibility and uncertainty in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they might arrive

Replaces "may" with "might", indicating a slightly lower probability.

they could appear

Substitutes "come" with "appear", focusing on the act of becoming visible or known.

they might turn up

Uses the phrasal verb "turn up", suggesting a more casual or unexpected arrival.

they could be present

Emphasizes their potential presence at a specific location or event.

it's possible they'll come

Adds "it's possible" to explicitly state the potential for their arrival.

perhaps they will come

Introduces "perhaps" to express uncertainty about their arrival.

they are likely to come

Indicates a higher probability of their arrival compared to "may".

they are expected to come

Suggests that their arrival is anticipated or planned.

they are scheduled to come

Implies a formal arrangement for their arrival at a specific time.

it is anticipated they will come

Formal way to suggest that their arrival is anticipated.

FAQs

What does "they may come" mean?

The phrase "they may come" indicates a possibility or likelihood that someone or something will arrive or appear in the future. It suggests uncertainty rather than a definite plan.

How can I use "they may come" in a sentence?

You can use "they may come" in sentences like, "If the weather is good, "they may come" to the party", or "They may come later, so we should wait a bit longer".

What can I say instead of "they may come"?

You can use alternatives like "they might arrive", "they could appear", or "it's possible they'll come" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "they may come" and "they will come"?

"They may come" expresses uncertainty and possibility, while "they will come" indicates a definite plan or certainty about their arrival.