Master confusing words with ease
Maybe vs. May be
Maybe
/ˈmeɪbi/Examples:
Maybe you'll find someone else after you bury her."Maybe, you don't feel that I love you.'Maybe the Yankees are not there yet.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
May be
/meɪ biː/Examples:
Considering the weather, it may be better to stay home.It may be time to rethink the company's strategy.There may be more guests arriving later tonight.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Maybe is a single word that functions as an adverb meaning perhaps or possibly.
- May be is a phrase that consists of the auxiliary may and the verb be, functioning as a verb phrase that suggests a possibility.
- If you can replace the word maybe with perhaps in a sentence, then it should be one word.
- Maybe often begins a sentence or is used before the subject while may be is used within a verb phrase.
- Think of maybe as a single entity meaning could be, while may be separates elements: may (expressing possibility) and be (the verb).
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