which may happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which may happen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility or likelihood of an event occurring in the future. Example: "There are several factors to consider, including the weather, which may happen to affect our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Which may happen in any case).

The New York Times - Magazine

But in the context of the modern practices of frequent releases, which may happen many times a day, this seems a less convincing approach.

The Guardian

He was referring, I am told, to the test stage for the wells, which may happen in a few instances this year.

The Guardian

"And if transportation is taken away, which may happen because of the new social-service department's restrictions, we'll need an additional $250,000".

The New York Times

C3 Airline Nears Bankruptcy American Airlines is seeking commitments for up to $2 billion in debtor-in-possession financing should it file for bankruptcy, which may happen soon.

The New York Times

The Bank of England is right to prepare for the possibility of Brexit, which may happen even though it is not government policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Will he get away with it?Probably for long enough to achieve his life's ambition, which may happen sooner than is generally expected.

The Economist

If a lot of fission occurs, which may happen only in an extreme case, the uranium would melt through anything underneath it.

The New York Times

When the definitive history of David Cameron's time in office appears – something which may happen rather sooner than he would like – a few paragraphs will surely be devoted to his self-professed love of the Smiths.

The Guardian - Music

— that murder which always, in the novels, occurs at an unexpected moment, when the investigation is well under way, which may happen, as in one of the Nero Wolfe stories, right in the great detective's office.

The New Yorker

Since all 12 committee Democrats -- and 2 Republicans, Senators Conrad Burns of Montana and Ted Stevens of Alaska -- support the bill, it is likely to be voted out at the committee's next meeting, which may happen on Friday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which may happen" to introduce a potential outcome or event that is relevant to the context you're discussing. This phrase works well to acknowledge uncertainty while still maintaining a clear and concise writing style.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions with "which may happen" when active voice could provide more direct and impactful writing. Consider rephrasing to highlight the actor or cause of the potential event for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which may happen" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, adding extra information about a preceding noun or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it introduces a potential outcome or possibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which may happen" is a frequently used phrase that introduces a possibility or potential outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While neutral to formal in tone, it is important to avoid overuse in passive constructions and to consider simpler alternatives when appropriate. Understanding these nuances can help writers use the phrase effectively to convey uncertainty or possibility in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that could occur

Uses "could" instead of "may", implying a slightly lower degree of certainty.

that might happen

Substitutes "may" with "might", suggesting a similar level of possibility but with a slightly more tentative tone.

which is possible

Replaces the verb "happen" with a more general term "possible", altering the sentence structure.

which could be the case

Offers a more formal and emphatic way of expressing possibility.

that is liable to occur

Employs "liable", suggesting a higher probability of occurrence, often implying a negative consequence.

that is apt to happen

Uses "apt", suggesting a natural tendency or likelihood.

something that is conceivable

Replaces the original phrase with a more conceptual expression of possibility.

which is a potential outcome

Focuses on the "outcome" aspect, highlighting the result of a situation.

that could come to pass

Introduces a more formal and somewhat archaic tone using the phrase "come to pass".

that is within the realm of possibility

Emphasizes the theoretical possibility, using a more elaborate and formal construction.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "which may happen" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "that is liable to occur" or "which could be the case". These options provide a more elevated and sophisticated expression of possibility.

What's a simpler alternative to "which may happen"?

You can use simpler alternatives such as "that could occur" or "that might happen". These options are more straightforward and easily understood.

Is "which may happen" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "which may happen" is generally acceptable in academic writing, but consider the specific context. In some cases, a more precise or formal alternative might be preferable to convey a greater sense of academic rigor.

How does the meaning of "which may happen" differ from "which will happen"?

"Which may happen" indicates a possibility, suggesting that an event is not certain. In contrast, "which will happen" expresses certainty that the event will occur. The choice depends on the degree of confidence you want to convey.