maybe
part of speech
adverb (maybe); noun (a maybe, maybes — informal)
meaning for a pupil
1) Maybe means perhaps: it might be true or might not, and you are not sure. tree →
2) Maybe makes a polite suggestion or a soft answer: «Maybe we could share.» tree →
3) As a noun, a maybe is an answer that is neither yes nor no. tree →
sense in the lessons
a word of the story only; sometimes it introduces a guess to check (guess and check in maths), not a given fact; in science it marks an idea still to be tested; in everyday life it softens a request or a reply; in stories it shows a character is not sure; phrases «maybe not», «maybe later», «maybe so»
examples
- Maybe he has 20 marbles. tree →
- Maybe it will rain, so take your umbrella. tree →
- Is it maybe 5 or 6? Check both. tree →
- Maybe we could play tag after lunch. tree →
- "Can we get a puppy?" "Maybe, we'll see." tree →
- Maybe the plant needs more light, so let's test it. tree →
- Maybe the dragon was not asleep after all. tree →
- Her answer was a maybe, not a yes. tree →
- "Maybe you'd win," said the bocough. tree →
note
No clue; a guess is not a given fact. One word «maybe» (adverb, = perhaps) versus two words «may be» (verb): «Maybe it is late» = «It may be late». Trap: do not use a «maybe» sentence as true data in a problem; a «maybe» from a grown-up is not a yes.
In the corpora
- Saying thank you, and maybe writing a card, shows you value a person's kindness.
- To introduce yourself, you say your name and maybe one or two things about you.
- When you receive a gift, you say thank you and maybe write a card, to show you value the giver's kindness.
- Jasmine blamed the last cookie on her sister, then the dog, then «maybe it just fell».
- Maybe in the summer.» It's fine to ask the people you love for clear answers.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «maybe» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.