MAYBE vs MAY BE
Even though the two words contain the same letters, the space between those letters makes a difference because maybe is an adverb while may be is a verb. As such, their definitions are different and one can never be used in the place of the other. Look:
MAYBE IS AN ADVERB
The word maybe is used as an adverb in English and it means perhaps or possibly.
- Maybe I won’t go back.
- Maybe someday we can go skiing in France.
- Maybe he didn’t call because he wasn’t feeling well.
MAY BE IS A VERB PHRASE (modal + root)
May be is not an adverb but rather a verb phrase with ‘may’ and ‘be’ both being verbs. Together they refer to the probability of something occurring or something that might already exist.
- They may be stuck in the elevator for a while.
- This One Direction concert may be their last one.
- This may be the last time Brady plays for the Patriots.
