what might be

USAGE SUMMARY

"what might be" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are unsure about something or when you are speculating about what could happen. For example: "What might be the cause of the problem?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What might be wrong?

The New York Times - Sports

What might be included?

The New York Times

What might be out there?

The New York Times - Sports

What might be driving it?

The Economist

What might be revealed?

The Times

What might be done?

The New York Times

What might be added?

The Guardian - Books

What might be their most profound worry?

The New York Times

Who knows what might be said?

The New Yorker

And just what might be these solutions?

The New York Times - Sports

They had what might be called courage.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what might be" to introduce a range of possibilities or potential outcomes, especially when speculating about future events or uncertain situations.

Common error

While versatile, overuse of "what might be" can make writing sound speculative and lacking conviction. In formal or business contexts, consider replacing it with more direct expressions of expectation or analysis when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what might be" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase, used to introduce questions exploring potential scenarios, possibilities, or explanations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a perfectly acceptable construction. It frequently introduces clauses that express uncertainty or speculation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

21%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what might be" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce inquiries about potential scenarios, possibilities, or explanations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a perfectly acceptable phrase. Its usage spans across various contexts, from formal academic writing to informal discussions. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the specific context and audience when choosing between "what might be" and more direct alternatives. As shown in the examples, it is frequently used in news, academic, and scientific publications, suggesting its broad applicability and acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what could be

Uses "could" instead of "might", suggesting a slightly stronger possibility.

what may be

Substitutes "might" with "may", offering a similar level of possibility or uncertainty.

what could potentially be

Combines "could" and "potentially" for added emphasis on the possibility.

what is potentially

Replaces the modal verb with an adverb emphasizing potential.

what is possibly

Emphasizes the possibility using the adverb "possibly" rather than a modal verb.

what is in the realm of possibility

Emphasizes that something is within the scope of being possible, though not necessarily probable.

what can be envisioned

Shifts the focus to envisioning or imagining potential scenarios.

what is conceivable

Replaces the modal verb construction with an adjective describing conceivability.

what is imaginable

Suggests something that can be imagined or conceived.

what we can expect

Focuses on expectations and anticipated outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "what might be" in a sentence?

"What might be" is typically used to introduce a question or speculation about possible outcomes, reasons, or characteristics. For example, "What might be the cause of this unexpected result?" or "Consider "what might be the implications" of this decision."

What are some alternatives to using "what might be"?

Alternatives include "what could be", "what may be", or rephrasing to use "potential" or "possible" followed by a noun, such as "potential consequences".

Is "what might be" formal or informal?

"What might be" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider if a more direct or assertive phrasing would be more appropriate.

How does "what might be" differ from "what is"?

"What is" implies a known or established fact, while "what might be" indicates speculation, possibility, or uncertainty about a situation or outcome.