ultimately may be vs may ultimately be

Both phrases are correct, but the placement of the adverb 'ultimately' can vary depending on the emphasis you want to give. 'May ultimately be' is more commonly used and flows better in most contexts.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 750 views

This phrase is correct but less common in English. It may sound a bit awkward due to the unusual placement of the adverb 'ultimately.'

"ultimately may be "

While grammatically correct, this phrase is less commonly used in English. It can still convey the intended meaning, but it may sound a bit awkward or less natural.

Show examples from the web [+]

It will make a change for our citizens and ultimately this may be what matters most.
Sacrifice Otranto and you may ultimately be hailed as your kingdom's savior.
This personality is eroded and may ultimately be destroyed by many of these conditions.
Scientists are expressing fears that 2005 may ultimately be the hottest year in history.
Without this additional provision, the extension of the term of protection may ultimately only be beneficial to a minority of featured artists.
In the absence of such a political consensus, legal certainty may ultimately only be provided by the European Court of Justice.
Ultimately, it may be necessary to maintain a European reserve, in order not to be politically committed to implementing such a resolution if it is unsatisfactory.
This may ultimately be a problem for the many Danish families which would like to own a car.
I urge them not to get so far in front of the people that the people have no idea where they are heading or what their destiny may ultimately be.
They observe that the expected cash flow in that example is CU109 and criticise that result as not representing either of the amounts that may ultimately be paid.
However, the declarant may request the immediate entry in the accounts of the amount of duties to which the goods may ultimately be liable instead of lodging this security.
We shall vote for the resolution but there is too much in it, Mr President, and we think that ultimately we may not be able to see the wood for the trees.
The measures proposed to mitigate the effects of this reform are temporary and as such merely palliatives designed solely to win acceptance for a reform the effects of which may ultimately be disastrous.
Lastly, we should like to encourage you to avoid basing your proposals for the draft treaty revision on the lowest common denominator among the 15 States of the EU but rather to go a good bit further than the positions on which agreement may ultimately be reached.
Thus, fulfilling the objectives of the roadmap may ultimately be a test of the ability of the EU to create a European society which pays more than just lip service to gender equality.
The quality standards may not ultimately be as strict as certain would have wished - and indeed the minimum quality standards are not as strict as those which the Commission had originally proposed.
require, if necessary, the lodging of a security adequate to cover the difference between that amount and the amount to which the goods may ultimately be liable.
EPA anticipates that a separate Specification may ultimately be required to cover color devices, because of likely technological developments related to color imaging, but for now these devices are included in this Specification.
As far as the concession is concerned, it is important to speed up the procedure and not extend the deadlines and formalities imposed on candidates unnecessarily as these deadlines and formalities generate substantial costs, with the risk that potential bidders may ultimately be forced to withdraw.
is therefore concerned about the risk of a significant discrepancy between the stated strategic ambitions and the low level of funding which may ultimately be allocated in the light of the latest intergovernmental negotiations;

Alternatives:

may ultimately be
ultimately, it may be
it may ultimately be
may be ultimately
it may be ultimately

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It flows better and is more natural in most contexts.

"may ultimately be"

This phrase is the more common and natural way to express the idea of something happening in the end or eventually. It is widely used in both spoken and written English.

Show examples from the web [+]

However, the declarant may request the immediate entry in the accounts of the amount of duties to which the goods may ultimately be liable instead of lodging this security.
where the second indent of paragraph 3 or the second indent of paragraph 4 (a) applies, of the amount of duties to which the goods may ultimately be liable, or
Sacrifice Otranto and you may ultimately be hailed as your kingdom's savior.
This personality is eroded and may ultimately be destroyed by many of these conditions.
Scientists are expressing fears that 2005 may ultimately be the hottest year in history.
This may ultimately be a problem for the many Danish families which would like to own a car.
They observe that the expected cash flow in that example is CU109 and criticise that result as not representing either of the amounts that may ultimately be paid.
The measures proposed to mitigate the effects of this reform are temporary and as such merely palliatives designed solely to win acceptance for a reform the effects of which may ultimately be disastrous.
require, if necessary, the lodging of a security adequate to cover the difference between that amount and the amount to which the goods may ultimately be liable.
and for liquid yeast and for dry yeast may ultimately be left open.
3.2 is therefore concerned about the risk of a significant discrepancy between the stated strategic ambitions and the low level of funding which may ultimately be allocated in the light of the latest intergovernmental negotiations;
I urge them not to get so far in front of the people that the people have no idea where they are heading or what their destiny may ultimately be.
Thus, fulfilling the objectives of the roadmap may ultimately be a test of the ability of the EU to create a European society which pays more than just lip service to gender equality.
As far as the concession is concerned, it is important to speed up the procedure and not extend the deadlines and formalities imposed on candidates unnecessarily as these deadlines and formalities generate substantial costs, with the risk that potential bidders may ultimately be forced to withdraw.
is therefore concerned about the risk of a significant discrepancy between the stated strategic ambitions and the low level of funding which may ultimately be allocated in the light of the latest intergovernmental negotiations;
Lastly, we should like to encourage you to avoid basing your proposals for the draft treaty revision on the lowest common denominator among the 15 States of the EU but rather to go a good bit further than the positions on which agreement may ultimately be reached.
EPA anticipates that a separate Specification may ultimately be required to cover color devices, because of likely technological developments related to color imaging, but for now these devices are included in this Specification.

Alternatives:

ultimately, it may be
it may ultimately be
may be ultimately
it may be ultimately
ultimately, may be

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ultimately may be vs may ultimately be