maybe

maybe
may|be [ `meıbi ] adverb ***
Maybe can be used in the following ways:
as a sentence adverb, making a comment on the whole sentence or clause:
Maybe I'll come too.
as an ordinary adverb (before a number):
There were maybe 15 people there.
1. ) used for showing that you are not sure whether something is true or whether something will happen:
Maybe it will snow tonight and school will be canceled.
Maybe Julie was right when she said I was jealous.
When can you give me an answer? I don't know. Maybe tomorrow.
Do you think he really loves you? Maybe. I'm not sure.
maybe...maybe not: Maybe things will improve, but then again, maybe not.
a ) used when you are guessing a number or amount:
The whole process takes maybe ten or fifteen minutes.
Hundreds maybe thousands were killed.
2. ) SPOKEN used for making a suggestion when you are not sure what to do:
Maybe we should call a doctor.
3. ) SPOKEN used for asking someone to do something, without saying directly that you want them to do it:
Maybe you could do a little job for me if you're not too busy?
Maybe someone could explain to me what's going on around here?
4. ) used for saying what sometimes happens:
At weekends she would drive into the city, do some shopping, and maybe visit a few friends.

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?
Synonyms:
, , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • maybe — an adverb meaning ‘perhaps’, is such a familiar part of current standard English that it comes as a surprise to know that it fell out of use in the 19c to an extent that caused the OED to label it ‘archaic and dialect’. It has a somewhat informal …   Modern English usage

  • Maybe — May be, adv. [For it may be.] Perhaps; possibly; peradventure. [1913 Webster] Maybe the amorous count solicits her. Shak. [1913 Webster] In a liberal and, maybe, somewhat reckless way. Tylor. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Maybe — May be, a. Possible; probable, but not sure. [R.] [1913 Webster] Then add those maybe years thou hast to live. Driden. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Maybe — May be, n. Possibility; uncertainty. [R.] [1913 Webster] What they offer is mere maybe and shift. Creech. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • maybe — (adv.) early 15c., from (it) may be; see MAY (Cf. may) (v.1) + BE (Cf. be) (v.). Still sometimes written as two words early 19c …   Etymology dictionary

  • maybe — [adv] possibly as it may be, can be, conceivable, conceivably, could be, credible, feasible, imaginably, it could be, might be, obtainable, perchance, perhaps, weather permitting; concept 552 Ant. certainly, definitely, surely …   New thesaurus

  • maybe — ► ADVERB ▪ perhaps; possibly …   English terms dictionary

  • maybe — [mā′bē] adv. [ME (for it may be)] perhaps …   English World dictionary

  • Maybe — Perchance redirects here. For the phrase with the word, see To be, or not to be. Maybe may refer to: Music Maybe, a song written in 1926 by George and Ira Gershwin, from the musical Oh, Kay! Maybe (1935 song), a 1935 song by Allan Flynn and Frank …   Wikipedia

  • Maybe.ru — Стиль этой статьи неэнциклопедичен или нарушает нормы русского языка. Статью следует исправить согласно стилистическим правилам Википедии …   Википедия

  • maybe */*/*/ — UK [ˈmeɪbɪ] / US adverb Summary: Maybe can be used in the following ways: as a sentence adverb, making a comment on the whole sentence or clause: Maybe I ll come too. as an ordinary adverb (before a number): There were maybe 15 people there. Get… …   English dictionary

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