Usage: Perhaps or Maybe

Question

When should one use perhaps and maybe. I noticed since returning from Germany that I use perhaps more.Lava

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]When should one use perhaps and maybe. I noticed since returning from Germany that I use perhaps more.[/nq]
Perhaps it doesn't matter.
On the other hand, maybe it does.
And mayhaps, at least in Georgia, no one will care.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]When should one use perhaps and maybe. I noticed since returning from Germany that I use perhaps more. Lava[/nq]
Perhaps, you should avoid both words, but, maybe those around you insist on using one or the other.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]When should one use perhaps and maybe. I noticed since returning from Germany that I use perhaps more. Lava[/nq]
[nq:1]Perhaps, you should avoid both words, but, maybe those around you insist on using one or the other.[/nq]
Mayhap I will.
Lava

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]When should one use perhaps and maybe. I noticed since returning from Germany that I use perhaps more. Lava[/nq]
I'm a non-native user and can't be sure, but to me, 'perhaps' sounds a bit more formal than 'maybe'. At least that's how I usually choose between the two. There may be certain contexts in which one is more appropriate than the other, but I can't think of any particular instance offhand.
Would some native user care to explain more clearly than has been done so far ?

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I'm a non-native user and can't be sure, but to me, 'perhaps' sounds a bit more formal than 'maybe'. At ... certain contexts in which one is more appropriate than the other, but I can't think of any particular instance offhand.[/nq]
It just may be that "perhaps" occurs more frequently in BrE usage. In Midwest US usage, I think "maybe" occurs more frequently. However, I don't consider the difference a matter of formality/informality.
Someone earlier made a joking remark using "mayhaps", which is not a word I've ever seen or heard. He may have been thinking of "mayhap" which is rare, verging on obsolete. Even further back "hap it may", and happen it may" seem to have been used, though I have only seen it in a few plays or poems from 17C. You can see the "happen" in the early word(s), but when the "may" and "per" joined into the mix is more than I can conjecture at.
I just put "perchance' into the Google search, and got the Free Dictionary. Please note how, over the years, Latin, Old Norse, or Anglo-Norman, Old French, Middle English and Indo-European roots are involved in the evolution of these words. Those sources, plus a few more, are typical of the history of many words in English.

The "free dictionary" says http://www.thefreedictionary.com/perchance :

per·haps (pr-hps)adv.
Maybe; possibly.
From Middle English perhap : per, by (from Latin; see per) + hap, chance; see hap.)
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per·chance (pr-chns) adv.
Perhaps; possibly.
Middle English, from Anglo-Norman par chance : par, by (from Latin per; see per) + chance, chance (from Old French; see chance).) ++++++++++++
Another word using the "per" prefix is "peradventure". adv. Archaic* Perhaps; perchance.
n. Chance or uncertainty; doubt.
(Middle English per aventure, from Old French, by chance : per, through (from Latin; see per) + aventure, chance; see adventure.) Adv. 1. peradventure - by chance; "perhaps she will call tomorrow"; "we may possibly run into them at the concert"; "it may peradventure be thought that there never was such a time" maybe, mayhap, perhaps, possibly, perchance
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hap n.

1. Fortune; chance.
2. A happening; an occurrence.intr.v. happed, hap·ping, haps
To happen.
(Middle English, from Old Norse happ; see kob- in Indo-European roots.) +++++++++++++++++
may 1
aux.v. Past tense might (mt)

1. To be allowed or permitted to: May I take a swim? Yes, you may.
2. Used to indicate a certain measure of likelihood or possibility: Itmay rain this afternoon.

3. Used to express a desire or fervent wish: Long may he live!
4. Used to express contingency, purpose, or result in clauses introducedby that or so that: expressing ideas so that the average person may understand.

5. To be obliged; must. Used in statutes, deeds, and other legaldocuments.
(Middle English, to be able, from Old English mæg, first and third person sing. of magan, to be strong, be able; see magh- in Indo-European roots.)
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may·be adv.
Perhaps; possibly.
n. Informal*

1. An uncertainty: There are so many maybes involved in playing thestock market.

2. An uncertain reply: It's better to receive a fast and honest no thana drawn-out maybe.
I don't know where/why the source calls "maybe" informal, nor why "peradventure" is considered archaic.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I'm a non-native user and can't be sure, but to ... other, but I can't think of any particular instance offhand.[/nq]
[nq:1]It just may be that "perhaps" occurs more frequently in BrE usage.In Midwest US usage, I think "maybe" occurs more frequently. However, I don't consider the difference a matter of formality/informality.[/nq]
I'd say that "maybe" was unsuitable for formal writing; I use it quite a lot, because I like it, but it has never been part of my native speech-vocabulary.

Mike.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]When should one use perhaps and maybe. I noticed since returning from Germany that I use perhaps more.[/nq]
Perhaps you have slipped into bad habits. Maybe not. Maybe it's a judgment call, perhaps not.Perhaps it IS a judgment call, but then maybe not.

ArWeUncertain

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]When should one use perhaps and maybe. I noticed since returning from Germany that I use perhaps more.[/nq]
[nq:1]Perhaps you have slipped into bad habits. Maybe not. Maybe it's a judgment call, perhaps not.Perhaps it IS a judgment call, but then maybe not.[/nq]
"Perhaps" is more formal, and "maybe" more conversational. Interestingly, a century ago the Oxford Dictionary marked "maybe" as "archaic and dialect": I don't think that's true any more, but I still wouldn't use it formally, and I'm not sure I've ever heard my parents or older relatives use it at all.

Mike.

Usage: Perhaps or Maybe

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