Maybe and may be sound exactly the same when you say them, but in writing they mean different things. One is a single word, the other is two. Here’s how to choose the right one every time.
The Quick Answer
- Maybe (one word) = perhaps or possibly. It’s an adverb.
- May be (two words) = might be or could be. It’s a verb phrase.
Maybe
Maybe means perhaps. It often comes at the start of a sentence.
- Maybe we’ll have sausages for lunch. (Perhaps we’ll have sausages for lunch.)
- I’m buying a lottery ticket. Maybe we’ll win a zillion quid!
- “Are you coming to the party?” “Maybe.”
May Be
May be means might be or could be. Here, may is a modal verb and be is the verb.
- There may be rain tomorrow. (There might be rain tomorrow.)
- Lisa said she may be late for dinner.
- It may be true, but I’m not sure.
The Easy Test
Swap in perhaps and might be. Whichever one makes sense tells you the answer.
- I maybe/may be studying at Oxford next year.
- “I perhaps studying at Oxford next year.” That doesn’t work.
- “I might be studying at Oxford next year.” That works, so it’s two words: I may be studying at Oxford next year.
Common Mistakes
- “I
maybelate tonight.” Use: I may be late tonight. - “
May bewe should go home.” Use: Maybe we should go home. - “It
maybea mistake.” Use: It may be a mistake.
Your Turn
Choose maybe or may be for each gap.
- _____ we should take an umbrella.
- The shop _____ closed on Sundays.
- “Do you want a cuppa?” “_____ later, thanks.”
- He _____ the best player in the team.
Show the answers
1. Maybe 2. may be 3. Maybe 4. may be
More Confusing Words
Mixing up other words too? See all 25 confusing word pairs in English, with memory tricks and funny pictures.
Related lessons: your or you’re, and used to, be used to and get used to.
Learn More
Look it upEasily confused words – Cambridge GrammarCambridge DictionaryFrequently Asked Questions
“Maybe” is an adverb meaning perhaps. “May be” is a verb phrase meaning could be or might be.
If you can replace it with “perhaps”, use “maybe”. If you can replace it with “could be”, use “may be”.
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