we may meet

USAGE SUMMARY

'we may meet' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when one person is not certain they will meet another person, such as when making plans. For example: "Let's make plans to meet up next week; we may meet at the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Always use the maximum force available to ensure wiping out any hostilities we may meet.

The Guardian

We may meet again in primaries in a few days from now and we have both earned a little rest.

The New York Times

"We will try our best, we have been trying our best, and we may meet the deployment date".

The New York Times

We may meet the academic standard of getting into the college of our choice, but financially, it will be difficult for us to attend it.

The New York Times

Her books evoke a world where the ordinary, the bizarre and the vicious conjoin, and around any dull street corner we may meet death.

The Guardian - Books

He added a postscript: "Who knows but that we may meet again in another sphere, when I shall be able to thank you personally for everything?" He died on 14 September, shot in the lung, aged 20.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Now, a newer, more virulent strain of Panama disease is wreaking that same havoc on the Cavendish and experts fear the banana we know and frequently devour may meet the same fate as the Gros Michel.

Huffington Post

We hypothesized that combinations of micronutrients may meet this challenge.

Cardiovascular Research

A few brands may meet them already.

The New York Times

providers, that may meet important data gaps?

Columbia University

THEY met, they chatted, they may meet again soon.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we may meet" when discussing future encounters that are not certain but remain a possibility. For instance, "If our schedules align, we may meet during the conference."

Common error

Avoid using "we will meet" when the meeting is not yet confirmed or is only a possibility. "We will meet" implies a definite arrangement, whereas "we may meet" acknowledges uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we may meet" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a possibility or potential future action. As Ludwig AI points out, it acknowledges uncertainty about a future encounter.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we may meet" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a possible, but not guaranteed, future encounter. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in various contexts. While the phrase is versatile, it's crucial to use it when uncertainty exists, contrasting it with the definiteness of "we will meet". It appears most frequently in news, academic and scientific contexts, with neutral formality. Alternatives like "we might meet" offer subtle variations in probability. Therefore, understanding the nuances helps ensure precise and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we might meet

Replaces 'may' with 'might', suggesting a slightly lower probability of meeting.

we could meet

Substitutes 'may' with 'could', indicating a possibility or potential ability to meet.

it's possible we'll meet

Rephrases the idea using "it's possible", adding a degree of uncertainty and informality.

perhaps we will meet

Uses "perhaps" to express uncertainty about the meeting.

there's a chance we'll meet

Expresses the possibility of meeting using the phrase "there's a chance".

we stand a chance of meeting

Indicates that there's an opportunity, however small, for the meeting to occur.

we could potentially meet

Adds "potentially" to emphasize the possibility of a meeting in the future.

it is conceivable we'll meet

Uses "conceivable" to indicate the meeting is within the realm of possibility, though not guaranteed.

we are likely to meet

Suggests a higher probability of meeting compared to the original phrase.

we are liable to meet

Indicates a reasonable expectation that the meeting will happen, but with a hint of obligation or external factor.

FAQs

How can I use "we may meet" in a sentence?

Use "we may meet" when you want to express the possibility of meeting someone in the future, but without certainty. For example, "If you're in town next week, we may meet for coffee."

What can I say instead of "we may meet"?

You can use alternatives like "we might meet", "we could meet", or "it's possible we'll meet" depending on the level of certainty you want to convey.

What's the difference between "we may meet" and "we will meet"?

"We may meet" suggests a possibility that a meeting will occur, while "we will meet" implies a confirmed arrangement. Use "we may meet" when the meeting is not yet certain.

Is it correct to say "we might meet" instead of "we may meet"?

Yes, "we might meet" is a valid alternative to "we may meet". Both phrases express a possibility, with "might" sometimes implying a slightly lower probability than "may".