They look almost the same, but one is a single word and the other is two.
- Maybe is one word. It means perhaps.
- May be is two words. It is a verb phrase, made of may and be.
Maybe: perhaps
Maybe is an adverb. It means "possibly" or "perhaps". It usually comes at the start of a sentence, or before the main idea.
Maybe we can go swimming later.
Maybe it will rain tomorrow.
Maybe I'll have pizza.
May be: a verb phrase
May be is two verbs together: may and be. It says something could happen, or could be true.
She may be late, but she will still come.
That may be the best idea.
It may be too cold to swim.
Easy way to tell them apart
Try swapping in perhaps.
- If perhaps fits in the same spot, use maybe: Perhaps we can go swimming later.
- If it doesn't fit, use may be: She perhaps be late. ❌ That doesn't work.
💡 The OddLingo Trick
May be has two words, and it has two verbs: may and be. Maybe is one word, and it is not a verb at all.
So: if you can see a verb pair, keep the space. If it means perhaps, close the gap.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Perhaps? Use maybe.
❌ May be we should go home.
✅ Maybe we should go home.
A verb pair? Use may be.
❌ It maybe too late.
✅ It may be too late.
Maybe is never the verb.
❌ She maybe at school.
✅ She may be at school.
Good to know
This is the same puzzle as Everyday vs Every Day and Awhile vs A While. One word, or two words? The meaning changes.
💬 In a conversation
Sam: Maybe we can go to the park.
Mia: It may be raining.
Sam: Maybe it isn't.
Mia: It may be.
Sam: We could take an umbrella.
Mia: Maybe that is a better idea.