What kind of word is maybe

Is this rule of thumb correct? Use 'maybe if 'perhaps' works'. What about these examples? If you trust Google more than your doctor, then maybe it's time to switch doctors. I would also like to offer another good rule of thumb: Use 'may be' only if 'verb to be' works For example, using your example, if you try replacing may be with is you will see immediately that the sentence doesn't work, If you trust Google more than your doctor, then is , it's time to switch doctors.

Definitely incorrect. So you need to use maybe instead. Improve this answer. Damkerng T. Community Bot 1. KRyan KRyan 3, 14 14 silver badges 23 23 bronze badges. The "is" test is pretty good. And so, Maybe it's time to switch doctors. Kaz Kaz 6, 11 11 silver badges 15 15 bronze badges.

The examples are good, and it may be hah! Featured on Meta. Now live: A fully responsive profile. Linked 4. Related 4. Maybe is defined as possibly or perhaps. An uncertainty. Perhaps; possibly. Used to indicate uncertainty or possibility. An uncertain reply. Modifies a verb, indicating a lack of certainty.

Possible ; uncertain. Do you have a question for Ask a Teacher? Write to us in the comments area and tell us your name and country. If you would like, you can also tell us one thing about yourself. Read the sentences below and decide if each uses "maybe" and "may be" correctly. Write your answers in the comments area. Load more comments.

Search Search. Audio menu. Learning English Broadcast. Arouse or rouse? As or like? As , because or since? As , when or while? Been or gone? Begin or start? Beside or besides? Between or among? Born or borne? Bring , take and fetch Can , could or may? Classic or classical? Come or go?

Consider or regard? Consist , comprise or compose? Content or contents? Different from , different to or different than? Do or make? Down , downwards or downward? During or for? Each or every? East or eastern ; north or northern? Economic or economical? Efficient or effective? Elder , eldest or older , oldest? End or finish? Especially or specially? Except or except for? Expect , hope or wait?

Experience or experiment? Fall or fall down? Far or a long way? Farther , farthest or further , furthest? Fast , quick or quickly? Fell or felt? Female or feminine ; male or masculine?

Finally , at last , lastly or in the end? First , firstly or at first? Fit or suit? Following or the following?

For or since? Forget or leave? Full or filled? Fun or funny? Get or go? Grateful or thankful? Hear or listen to? High or tall? Historic or historical? House or home?