How to use "perhaps" and "maybe" ?
By livelily
@livelily (141)
China
May 25, 2007 9:37am CST
I don't know when we should use "perhaps" and when we can use "maybe" , I am confusion for these two words, anyone tell me know how to use them? and what's different between these two words ? thanks for your help.
5 responses
@laowai (136)
• United States
26 May 07
Yes, they are very similar and almost interchangeable. Just use them when you want. If you talk with the right person, he or she will correct you when you make a mistake.
It's overcast today. Maybe it will rain later.
If you can't decide, perhaps I can help you.
2 people like this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
18 Sep 07
They can be both used orally or literally. It depends on your habit of using these two words. I love to use both and I don't see much difference while I chat with foreign colleagues.
1 person likes this
@r_yuen (332)
• Indonesia
11 Sep 07
Hmmm... I think perhaps and maybe are almost interchangeable. You can use whether one of them. A child would be more likely to use Maybe, less likely to use Perhaps, perhaps because the root words May Be seem so accessible, intuitive, and immediate. Maybe perhaps is a simpler words.
Perhaps also is more formal than maybe. Maybe is more casual. If you use it in writing, perhaps is more common than maybe. Maybe are common to use in conversation to address chance, or potential.
1 person likes this
@chemicalh2 (627)
• Philippines
25 May 07
The words "Perhaps" and "Maybe" both denote uncertainty but not accurate. If you are a professional, you don't use those words. It will most likely get you in trouble. In casual communication, you can use one of those word since it has the same meaning.
1 person likes this
@happyeveryday (222)
• China
8 Jun 07
I don't know, when i think "maybe", use maybe,
1 person likes this
@princessmelokia1 (92)
• Canada
25 May 07
you can use them both in any instance. perhaps is just another word for maybe. so for example, you could say "perhaps we should go to the store." or you could say "maybe we should go to the store." either way is acceptable
1 person likes this