Quote:
|
Originally Posted by vladz What are the differences of "maybe" and "may be". Please give me sample sentences so it would be clear to me. Thanks. |
maybe is an adverb;
may be is a verb.
verb: It
may be ('may be' comes after the subject "It")
adverb:
Maybe it ('maybe' comes before the subject "It")
EX:
Maybe you should call John. (Subject "you")
EX: John
may be at work. (Subject "John")
maybe, like other adverbs, can also occur in other positions in the sentence:
EX: It's going to rain,
maybe.
EX: It
maybe is going to rain.
EX:
Maybe it's going to rain.
When in doubt, if you are not sure if you should use 'maybe' or 'may be', try moving 'maybe/may be' to the end of the sentence:
EX: John at work, maybe.
(Incorrect. There is no verb after "John", so 'may be' should be two words and it should come after the subject: John may be at work.)
EX: You should call John, maybe.
(Correct. 'maybe' should be one word)