When Is It Maybe or May Be?

Maybe is an adverb meaning “perhaps.” May be is a verb phrase that generally means the same thing as “might be.”

When to use Maybe versus may be?

Maybe or may be:

Even though the two words contain the same alphabets, the space between those alphabets makes the entire difference as maybe is an adverb while may be is a verb phrase. ... Remember the spaced word are two verbs and cannot be used as an adverb and hence, maybe can't act as a verb in a sentence.

What is the difference in meaning between maybe and 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.

Sarah Jenkins

Sarah Jenkins

Senior Technology Editor & AI Specialist

Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.