In principle, α can be slightly larger, but if α ≫ 1, then in the range of gravities of interest for galaxy dynamics (between 0.1a0 and a few times a0) the scalar field contribution s is too small to account for the MOND effect, or said in another way, the corresponding Milgrom μ-function would deviate significantly from μ(x) = x (i.e., μ(x) > x, so that there would be less modification to the Newtonian prediction).