grammar (modal passive) · academic
may be + past participle
Modal passive: 'may/might/could be + past participle' expresses possibility that something is done to the subject.
Examples
“The results may be affected by seasonal changes.”
“Some documents may be missing from the archive.”
“These findings may be misinterpreted if taken out of context.”
Band 8 sentence
“Given the inconsistencies in the sample, some of the earlier conclusions may be misrepresented in the final report.”
Collocations
- may be affected
- might be delayed
Common mistakes
may been + V3→may be + V3
may be V-ing→may be + V3
might been + V3→might be + V3
Say it for a higher band
5might + V3 (confusing modal usage)→6may + V-ing (wrong progressive)→7+may be + past participle
Synonyms
might be + V3
Easily confused
may have + past participle
“The documents may have been misplaced during the move.”
might be + past participle
“The data might be corrupted.”
Related words
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In Tenses
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