Cool MateMaybe they got it wrong vs Possibly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Maybe they got it wrong
Top 2,000 (common)
Possibly
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
| Maybe they got it wrong | Possibly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈmeɪ.bi ðeɪ gɒt ɪt rɒŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈmeɪ.bi ðeɪ ɡɑt ɪt rɔŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɒsəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɑːsəbli/"]/ |
| Meaning | It might not be correct. | maybe or maybe not; not sure |
| Example | Maybe they got it wrong about the weather forecast. | It could possibly rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | got it wrong, say maybe, think maybe, believe maybe, consider maybe | possibly true, possibly available, possibly dangerous |
| Antonyms | - | definitely, certainly |
| Common mistakes | Using 'maybe' in a definitive statement., Confusing 'maybe' with 'may be'., Omitting 'they' when stating personal guesses. | '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 | Used in conversation to express uncertainty about someone's decision or opinion. Avoid in formal writing. | 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 they got it wrong vs Possibly
What's the difference between Maybe they got it wrong and Possibly?
Maybe they got it wrong: It might not be correct. Possibly: maybe or maybe not; not sure
Can you show an example of each?
Maybe they got it wrong: Maybe they got it wrong about the weather forecast. Possibly: It could possibly rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella.
Can I use Maybe they got it wrong and Possibly interchangeably?
Not always. Maybe they got it wrong 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.