Comment on Open Thread, May 19 - 25, 2014

Tue, 20 May 2014 15:16:42 GMT

"[...]may be the case[...]"

Sometimes this phrase is harmless, but sometimes it is part of an important enumeration of possible outcomes/counterarguments/whatever. If "the case" does not come with either a solid plan/argument or an explanation why it is unlikely or not important, then it is often there to make the author and/or the audience feel like all the bases have been covered. E.g.,

We should implement plan X. It may be the case that [important weak point of X], but [unrelated benefit of X].

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