When spoken, maybe and may be sound exactly the same, however when written they have 2 different meanings. Let’s take a look at the different meanings.
Maybe
Maybe is an adverb. It is very similar in meaning to perhaps or possibly.
For example:
- Maybe we’ll have sausages for lunch. Perhaps we’ll have sausages for lunch.
- I’m going to buy a lottery ticket, maybe we’ll win a zillion dollars! I’m going to buy a lottery ticket, perhaps we’ll win a zillion dollars!
May Be
May be is a verb phrase. It is very similar in meaning to could be or might be.
For example:
- I think there may be rain tomorrow. I think there could be rain tomorrow.
- Lisa said that she may be late for dinner this evening. Lisa said that she might be late for dinner this evening.
Usage:
If you are unsure which (maybe or may be) you should be using in a sentence, try substituting perhaps or could be into the sentence.
Example:
- I maybe studying at Oxford University next year.
Is this right? Not sure? Let’s try substitution.
- I could be studying at Oxford University next year.
- I perhaps studying at Oxford University next year.
As we can see from the above sentence could be is correct! The correct sentence should be:
- I may be studying at Oxford University next year.
Your turn:
Can you write some example sentences with ‘maybe’ and ‘may be?’
More English Lessons:
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