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Дата публикации: Aug 01, 2021 4:0:25 PM
из English Grammar Today
We use maybe and may be to talk about possibility. They are often confused because we use them both when we think that something is possible but we are not certain.
Maybe as an adverb
Maybe /ˈmeɪbi/ is an adverb and it means the same as perhaps. It is written as one word:
Maybe no one will come to the party.
Not: May be no one will come to the party.
Spoken English:
In speaking, we sometimes use maybe at the end of what we say when we are making a suggestion which we are not very certain about:
A:
There’s something wrong with my PC. I can’t load my photos.
B:
It could be a virus, maybe.
Spoken English:
In speaking, we can use maybe as a response when we agree that something is possible:
A:
Ronnie and Linda are going to leave New Zealand in January.
B:
Why? I thought they were very happy there.
A:
I’m not sure. Perhaps they feel a bit lonely.
B:
Maybe.
We can also use maybe to express uncertainty in response to a suggestion:
A:
Would you like to have chicken curry for dinner?
B:
Maybe.
A:
You don’t sound very enthusiastic.
B:
I just can’t think about dinner right now. I’ve just had breakfast.
May be
In the phrase may be /meɪ bi:/ may is a modal verb and be is a main or auxiliary verb. Here may and be are two separate words, whereas maybe is one word:
There may be a train at 10.00am.
Not: There maybe a train at 10.00am.
He may be waiting for us.
See also:
May
Typical error
We use may as a modal verb in the phrase may be. They are two separate words. We use maybe as an adverb:
This may be the last match that he plays for Barcelona.
Not: This maybe the last match that he plays for Barcelona.
Maybe or May be – What is the difference?
Posted on 12 July, 2011 by woodward in Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes in English
When do you use maybe and when do you use may be?
This is a common mistake for students learning English (and sometimes native speakers too!).
The simplest explanation is:
Maybe = perhaps
May be = is possibly
Our boss was sick yesterday so he may be absent from work today. Maybe our meeting will be postponed until he comes back.
He may be creative or maybe he is just crazy.
A bit more detail…
MAYBE
Maybe is an adverb that means perhaps.
Maybe it will stop raining soon. = Perhaps it will stop raining soon.
A: I thought Suzy would be here by now. B: Maybe she forgot.
MAY BE
May is a modal verb which indicates possibility.
He may be lost = It is possible that he is lost
This may be the best website = This is possibly the best website
After may be we usually have an adjective, a noun or a verb (in ING form)
He may be crazy. (may be + adjective)
He may be a genius. (may be + article + noun)
He may be trying too hard. (may be + verb ING form)
Remember that May is similar to Might
He may be late = He might be late
Maybe you have a better explanation than this. :)
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