it maybe that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it maybe that" is not correct in written English.
The correct form is "it may be that." You can use it to express a possibility or uncertainty about a situation. Example: "It may be that we need to reconsider our approach to the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

As Mr. Abrams asks: "Why is it happening when through the Internet we're rapidly moving into an era when more is being said than ever before and more people will be saying it?" Maybe that is the reason.

The New York Times

Come to think of it, maybe that's the right metaphor for the state of art now.

The New York Times - Arts

It required a bit of skill to put the machine together, let alone figure out how to communicate with it, maybe that's why only 40 were sold.

Forbes

"Now that we're talking about it, maybe that is the thing," Whitley says.

Huffington Post

"Why don't you talk about it; maybe that will help you understand your real problems".

Huffington Post

Sometimes we put a shark on it, maybe that can fight off the meteor.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Maybe that's one reason for it and maybe that's not really the reason for it.

Huffington Post

"I don't call it bickering, maybe that's not the word to use.

The New York Times - Sports

CALEB CRAIN: It's so theatrical — maybe that's what gives it its charm?

The New Yorker

It seems counterintuitive, but maybe that's why it's a good idea.

Forbes

"Maybe that was it, maybe it was the icicles on their lips," said Payne, laughing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form: "it may be that" when expressing possibility or uncertainty. "Maybe" is an adverb and cannot function as a verb.

Common error

Avoid using "maybe" in place of "may be". "Maybe" is an adverb meaning "perhaps", while "may be" is a verb phrase expressing possibility. For example, use "It may be that rain is coming", not "It maybe that rain is coming".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it maybe that" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI flags this as an error, recommending the corrected form, "it may be that". The function of the correct phrase is to introduce a proposition with a degree of uncertainty or possibility.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it maybe that" is an incorrect construction. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the correct form is "it may be that". "Maybe" is an adverb, while "may be" is a verb phrase used to express possibility or uncertainty. Remember to use "it may be that" when you want to suggest something is possible but not certain. Using the correct phrase will significantly improve the clarity and correctness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it may be that

Uses the correct auxiliary verb "may" instead of "maybe" to indicate possibility.

it could be that

Replaces "may" with "could", offering an alternative way to express possibility.

it is possible that

Uses a more formal structure to convey the same sense of possibility.

perhaps

Offers a concise adverb to express uncertainty or possibility.

it is conceivable that

Uses a more formal and less common way of indicating possibility.

it is likely that

Indicates a higher probability compared to "may be".

it is probable that

Similar to "it is likely that", suggesting a good chance of something happening.

it is rumored that

Expresses possibility based on unverified information or hearsay.

one possibility is that

Highlights the statement as one of several potential explanations.

the possibility exists that

A more emphatic way of stating that something is possible.

FAQs

What's the difference between "it maybe that" and "it may be that"?

"It maybe that" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it may be that", where "may be" functions as a verb phrase expressing possibility. "Maybe" is an adverb meaning "perhaps".

When should I use "it may be that"?

Use "it may be that" when you want to express a possibility or a degree of uncertainty about a situation. For example, "It may be that the meeting will be postponed due to the weather."

Are there alternatives to saying "it may be that"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "it is possible that", "it could be that", or simply "perhaps" depending on the context.

How can I remember the correct usage of "maybe" and "may be"?

Think of "may be" as a verb phrase indicating possibility. "Maybe", on the other hand, functions as an adverb, similar to "perhaps". If you can replace it with "perhaps" and the sentence still makes sense, use "maybe". Otherwise, use "may be".