Maybe vs May Be
Published January 24, 2023. Updated January 24, 2023.
Maybe and may be may look similar and sound the same, but they have different uses. Both words mean “perhaps” or “possibly,” but they are used in different ways. Maybe can be an adverb or a noun, while may be is a verb phrase. Maybe is a singular word, while may be is a combination of two words used together.
Here are some definitions and examples to help clarify the tricky difference between these words.
Maybe (adverb, noun)
Perhaps, possibly (adverb); uncertainty (noun).
Examples:
Maybe it will stop raining before the game.
She said “it’s a maybe” when I asked her if she was coming to the party.
In the first example, maybe is used as an adverb to modify the verb phrase “will stop.” In the second example, maybe functions as a noun. An event that may or may not happen can be called “a maybe.”
May Be (verb phrase)
Might be.
Examples:
Jim may be upset that you borrowed his phone.
It may be a good idea to bring an umbrella.
In the first example, may be means “might be,” as in Jim could potentially be upset. In the second example, may be means “might be,” as in there is a chance an umbrella could come in handy. In both examples, may be functions as a verb phrase.
Main Points
- Both maybe and may be mean “perhaps” or “possibly.”
- Maybe is an adverb or a noun, while may be is a verb phrase.
- Maybe is a singular word, while may be is a combination of two words used together.