There is often confusion over 'maybe' and 'may be'.
Maybe
Maybe (one word) can be substituted with 'perhaps' or 'possibly'. ('Maybe' is an adverb.) Try substituting the 'maybe' in these examples with 'perhaps':
Maybe this world is another planet's hell. (Aldous Huxley)
Courage is saying, "Maybe what I'm doing isn't working; maybe I should try something else." (Anna Lappe)
Maybe you have to know darkness before you can appreciate the light. (Madeleine L'engle)
There are a lot of people who can't write and maybe shouldn't write. (Sarah Hepola)
May Be
May be (two words) is similar to 'might be', 'could be' or 'would be'. (The word 'may' in 'may be' is an auxiliary verb.)
Examples:
Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking. (H. L. Mencken)
If two men agree on everything, you may be sure that one of them is doing the thinking. (Lyndon B. Johnson)
The ability to delude yourself may be an important survival tool. (Jane Wagner)
Select the correct version:
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USE 'MAYBE' IF 'PERHAPS' WORKS
Like 'maybe', the word 'perhaps' is an adverb. If it works perfectly in your sentence, then you should be using 'maybe'. If 'perhaps' does not work well (i.e. you feel there is a word missing), then you should be using 'may be'. For example:
If you trust Google more than your doctor then maybe it's time to switch doctors.  ("..then perhaps it's time" — works perfectly. Therefore, 'maybe' is okay.)
Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery. (Dr. Joyce Brothers ) ("Listening, not imitation, perhaps the sincerest form..." — sound wrong. Therefore, 'may be' is okay. 'Maybe' would be wrong.)
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