Maybe or May be – What is the difference?

[معلمة إنجليزي]

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 crazyA 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.

[Muhamed]

useful lesson
thanks a lot

[J A M I L A H]

wow

wonderful

but is there any difference in their pronunciations ?

[SomeOne Else]

^^

I think yes, cause in Maybe you say it one shot as one word, and in May be you pronounce it like saying two words,

Regards,