feel like maybe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel like maybe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or a tentative feeling about a situation or idea. Example: "I feel like maybe we should reconsider our approach to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It made me feel like, maybe we're on our way".

The New York Times

"So I feel like maybe that's just my inexperience.

The New York Times - Sports

"I feel like maybe now I'm finally getting there".

The New York Times

"You start to feel like maybe you could do anything.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Already I feel like maybe I've forgotten bits of it.

The Guardian - Sport

"I feel like maybe we recognize something in each other.

The Guardian

"After a while you start to feel like maybe everything's behind you," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I feel like maybe @MarieKondo's next project should be the British government" wrote another.

The Washington Post

And so it does feel like maybe we're ripe for a watershed moment.

The New Yorker

They may feel like, maybe my clients might move away from me.

Harvard Business Review

"THIS makes us feel like maybe we are the Philippines or one of those third-world countries".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel like maybe" to express a tentative opinion or belief. It's suitable when you want to soften your statement and indicate uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "feel like maybe" excessively in formal writing. While acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound indecisive or informal. Opt for stronger, more direct statements when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel like maybe" functions as a hedge, softening a statement and indicating uncertainty or tentativeness. As Ludwig AI points out, it expresses a subjective feeling about a potential situation. It combines the subjective "feel like" with the qualifier "maybe".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel like maybe" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a tentative opinion or belief. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's widely used to soften statements and indicate uncertainty. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it's generally considered neutral in register. However, for formal writing, it's advisable to use stronger, more direct alternatives to avoid sounding indecisive. Several alternatives, such as "think it's possible that" or "suspect that perhaps", can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wonder if it could be that

Expresses a sense of curiosity or contemplation about a possibility.

think it's possible that

Replaces the subjective feeling with a more direct statement of possibility.

it's quite possible that

Emphasizes possibility with a higher degree of certainty.

I hazard a guess that maybe

Expresses a cautious guess, retaining the 'maybe' for uncertainty.

suspect that perhaps

Uses "suspect" for a slight inclination of belief and adds "perhaps" for added uncertainty.

it seems plausible that

Indicates that something appears to be reasonable or likely.

believe it's conceivable that

Offers a more formal tone, emphasizing the conceivability of something.

I get the impression that possibly

Expresses an impression with a touch of uncertainty using 'possibly'.

have a sneaking suspicion that

Conveys a sense of unease or intuition about something.

dare say it is conceivable that

Uses 'dare say' for a tentative assertion and emphasizes conceivability.

FAQs

How can I use "feel like maybe" in a sentence?

You can use "feel like maybe" to express a tentative opinion or a possibility you're not entirely sure about. For example, "I feel like maybe we should try a different approach".

What can I say instead of "feel like maybe"?

You can use alternatives like "think it's possible that", "suspect that perhaps", or "wonder if it could be that", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "feel like maybe"?

"Feel like maybe" is appropriate in informal conversations or when expressing a tentative opinion. In more formal writing, consider using more direct or assertive language.

Is "feel like maybe" grammatically correct?

Yes, "feel like maybe" is grammatically acceptable, although it adds a layer of tentativeness to your statement. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable.