maybe

The word "maybe" is used in response to a question in which the answer is "yes" or "no." "Maybe" is an answer that is somewhere between "yes" or "no." It’s also used when there’s uncertainty, or a person is unsure about something.

• A: Is it going to snow tomorrow?
• B: Maybe.
• A: Does the car have gas?
• B: Maybe. I’m not sure.
• Maybe we can go to the museum this week.
• Maybe he’ll find a good job if he moves to a bigger city.
• When Theresa retires, she might move to Arizona, or maybe she’ll go to Florida. She doesn’t know yet.
• Maybe this time I’ll win the lottery.

Don’t confuse the word "maybe" with the modal verb "may" and the main verb "be." Maybe is one word. It doesn’t go after a subject. May be are two words which follow a subject. Listen to the examples below:

• I may be late. (Not, I maybe late.)
• She may be too tired. (Not, She maybe too tired.)
• He may be here later today. (Not, He maybe here later today.)
• Maybe she’s too tired.
• Maybe he’ll be here later today.

This video shows the spectrum of responses from yes to maybe to no.

Click here to learn more vocabulary.

Date of publication: December 19, 2016