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Which one to use?Beginneradverbioverbo modal
MaybevsMay be
"Maybe" (one word) = perhaps, possibly; "may be" (two words) = might be, could be.
Side-by-side comparison
Maybe
adverbio"Maybe" (one word) is the adverb meaning "perhaps" or "possibly". It expresses uncertainty. "Maybe she's right" = perhaps she is right. It is never directly followed by a main verb.
Maybe I will go to the party if I finish work early.
She called to say she is running late. Maybe she is stuck in traffic.
"Are you coming to dinner?" "Maybe. I will let you know."
May be
verbo modal"May be" (two words) is the modal verb "may" plus the verb "be". It is part of the predicate. "She may be right" = it is possible that she is right. Always part of a compound verb.
This may be the most important decision of her career.
He may be late, but he will definitely arrive before the presentation starts.
The results may be ready by Thursday, depending on the lab schedule.
Common mistake
Quick test: can you replace with "perhaps"? Yes = "maybe" (one word). Can you replace with "might be"? Yes = "may be" (two words). "Maybe I'll go" (adverb). "It may be true" (modal verb phrase).
Trick to remember it
- •"Maybe" = perhaps (adverb, one word, replaceable by "perhaps").
- •"May be" = might be (modal verb phrase, two words, replaceable by "might be").
Quick rule
- •"Maybe" (one word) = perhaps/possibly (adverb).
- •"May be" (two words) = might be (modal verb phrase).
Did you know?
The MAYBE/MAY BE pattern repeats across several English pairs where one version is an adjective or adverb (one word) and the other is a verbal or noun phrase (two words): "everyday" (adjective: "an everyday occurrence") vs "every day" (adverb/phrase: "I go every day"). "Already" (adverb: "she is already here") vs "all ready" (phrase: "we are all ready to go"). "Altogether" (adverb: "it is altogether wrong") vs "all together" (phrase: "we were all together"). Once you internalize the pattern, one word = adjective/adverb, two words = verb or phrase, all these pairs become easy.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
"_____, we could try the new Thai place for dinner tonight?"
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She _____ late — the traffic was really bad this morning.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
AlreadyvsAll ready
"Already" = by now or sooner than expected; "all ready" = completely prepared or everyone is ready.
EverydayvsEvery day
"Everyday" (one word) is an adjective meaning ordinary or daily; "every day" (two words) means each day.
AcceptvsExcept
One means to receive or agree to something, the other means to exclude or not include.
AdvicevsAdvise
'Advice' is the guidance you receive (noun); 'advise' is the act of giving that guidance (verb).
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy