may well vs may as well

Both 'may well' and 'may as well' are correct, but they have different meanings and usage. 'May well' is used to indicate that something is likely or probable, while 'may as well' is used to suggest doing something because there is no reason not to. They are not interchangeable.

Last updated: March 19, 2024 • 1178 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something is likely or probable.

"may well"

It is used to express that something is very likely to happen or be true.

Examples:

He may well be the best candidate for the job.
The project may well be completed ahead of schedule.
She may well have forgotten about the meeting.
The plan may well succeed if we stick to it.
The weather may well change by the afternoon.

Show examples from the web [+]

4 days ago ... Definition of “may well” - English Dictionary ... B2 If you say that something may well happen, you mean that it is likely to happen: She ...
Mar 25, 2015 ... What's the difference between may and may well in following sentences? Besides, which sentence says it is more likely to rain? It may rain.
... say may very well be true. A small technical error may easily result in a serious accident. it may well be that: It may well be that the information is not available.
You may well ask! (humorous) also Well may you ask! (humorous, formal). something that you say when someone asks you about something which you think is ...

Alternatives:

might well
could well
will likely

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to suggest doing something because there is no reason not to.

"may as well"

It is used to propose doing something because there is no disadvantage or better alternative.

Examples:

Since we have some time to spare, we may as well go for a walk.
I may as well finish the book since I've already started it.
If you're not busy, you may as well join us for dinner.
We may as well take the opportunity to visit the museum while we're in town.
I may as well call her now to clear up any misunderstandings.

Show examples from the web [+]

We can use may as well and might as well for making suggestions. We can use them to say what we think is the easiest or most logical course of action when we ...
May 7, 2011 ... (There's a sense of uncertainty: I don't know if I have enough gas.) I may as well get a car wash while at the gas station. (There is no uncertainty ...
Here is Audio Word Study #092 from Jane Lawson at DailyStep.com. MIGHT AS WELL / MAY AS WELL. Meaning: If you 'might as well do something', or 'may as ...
May as well and might as well have exactly the same meaning. This is the British English definition of may as well. View American English definition of may as ...

Alternatives:

might as well
could just as easily
should consider

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may well vs may as well

"may well"

"may as well"

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