Cool MateMaybe so vs Perhaps vs Possibly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Maybe so
Top 3,000 (common)
Perhaps
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Possibly
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Most common: Perhaps
| Maybe so | Perhaps | Possibly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈmeɪ.bi səʊ//🇺🇸 //ˈmeɪ.bi soʊ// | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈhæps//præps/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈhæps/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɒsəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɑːsəbli/"]/ |
| Meaning | It's possible or could be true. | maybe; it might be true | maybe or maybe not; not sure |
| Example | Are you coming to the party? Maybe so. | ‘Are you going to come?’ ‘Perhaps. I'll see how I feel.’ | It could possibly rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb | |
| Collocations | maybe so, maybe not, I think maybe so, could be, maybe so | perhaps we should, perhaps it is, perhaps he thought | possibly true, possibly available, possibly dangerous |
| Antonyms | definitely not, certainly not, no way | definitely, certainly | definitely, certainly |
| Common mistakes | Used in affirmative responses instead of uncertainty., Confused with 'maybe not' when disagreeing., Overused in situations where a clear answer is needed. | 'Perhaps' can't be used as a noun., Confused with 'perchance', which is more archaic., Using 'perhaps' in very direct or commanding statements. | 'Possibly' is often confused with 'probably'—they mean different things., Learners may omit 'possibly' in sentences where it's needed., Some learners incorrectly use 'possibly' with the gerund form (e.g., 'possibly going'). |
| Usage notes | Use 'maybe so' to express uncertainty or possibility. It's appropriate in casual conversations but might be too informal in formal discussions. | Use 'perhaps' in formal writing or speech. It's less common in casual conversations, where 'maybe' is preferred. Avoid using it when being certain. | Use 'possibly' when you want to express uncertainty or doubt about something. It's generally neutral, suitable for both spoken and written contexts, but avoid it in very formal writing where you might prefer words like 'potentially'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Maybe so vs Perhaps vs Possibly
What's the difference between Maybe so, Perhaps, and Possibly?
Maybe so: It's possible or could be true. Perhaps: maybe; it might be true Possibly: maybe or maybe not; not sure
Which is more common: Maybe so, Perhaps, and Possibly?
Perhaps is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Maybe so, Perhaps, and Possibly?
Possibly is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Maybe so: Are you coming to the party? Maybe so. Perhaps: ‘Are you going to come?’ ‘Perhaps. I'll see how I feel.’ Possibly: It could possibly rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella.
Can I use Maybe so, Perhaps, and Possibly interchangeably?
Not always. Maybe so, Perhaps, and Possibly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.