Meaning & use
maybe
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Meanings
adverb
Used to say that something could be true or could happen, but you are not sure.
Grammar: Usually goes at the start of a sentence, or before the word it affects; it is one word, unlike the verb phrase 'may be'.
Patterns
- maybe + clause
- maybe + adjective
- maybe not
- maybe so
Maybe it will rain later, so take an umbrella.
Maybe she forgot about the meeting.
There are maybe twenty people waiting outside.
adverbinformal
Used when you are suggesting something politely or giving an approximate answer.
Grammar: Often used alone as a short reply, or at the start of a suggestion.
Patterns
- maybe + subject + verb
- maybe you could …
Maybe you could call him tomorrow instead.
A: Are you free on Friday? B: Maybe. I'll check my diary.
Maybe we should leave a bit earlier to avoid traffic.
Common combinations
- maybe not
- We might still catch the train — maybe not, though.
- maybe so
- Maybe so, but I still don't agree with the plan.
- maybe later
- I can't talk now; maybe later this evening.
- maybe even
- The trip could take a week, maybe even longer.
- maybe you're right
- Maybe you're right, but let's check the figures first.
Synonyms and how they differ
- perhaps
- Nearly the same meaning, but slightly more formal and more common in writing.
- possibly
- Suggests a smaller chance than 'maybe' and sounds more formal.
- probably
- Stronger than 'maybe' — it means you think it is likely, not just possible.
Opposites
Commonly confused: maybe or may be?
maybe vs may be
'Maybe' is one word and means 'perhaps'; 'may be' is two words and is a verb phrase, as in 'He may be late.'
Practice
Which sentence is correct?
Choose one answer.
'Maybe' is a single adverb meaning 'perhaps', so it can begin the sentence. 'May be' is a verb phrase and would need a subject before it, as in 'She may be still at work.'
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “maybe”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.