maybe she knows

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maybe she knows" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty about someone's knowledge or awareness of a situation. Example: "I don't have the answer to that question, but maybe she knows."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Maybe she knows someone who can fix my boiler.

The Guardian - Books

She lists it alongside Steppenwolf and "all of" Harry Potter (maybe she knows something we don't).

The Guardian - Books

Tania Kovats, who supplied the photograph, recently wrote a book about drawing, so maybe she knows.

The Guardian - Arts

How to use pouty lips and saucer eyes that stare out hard (with the certainty that few people will muster the temerity to stare back) to suggest that, just maybe, she knows even more than she's letting on.

The New York Times - Arts

But maybe she knows that Rudy will hurl thunderbolts at her, as he did in the debate yesterday, suggesting that she doesn't have the guts to use a military option to stop Iran from going nuclear.

The New York Times

Maybe she knows who to talk to". It builds those loose connections that are so critical to building that cohesion.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

And maybe she knew best.

The New York Times

Maybe she knew what she was doing after all.

The Guardian - Music

Maybe she knew or maybe she thought it had been too good to be true all along.

The New Yorker

I thought that maybe she knew me from TV.

The New York Times

Maybe she knew me well enough to know that when I decide to do something, there is no stopping me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maybe she knows", consider the tone you want to convey. It can sound casual or inquisitive, but avoid using it in formal settings where directness is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "maybe she knows" in formal writing or presentations where a more direct and confident statement is expected. Instead, opt for phrases like "she may be aware" or "it is possible she is informed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maybe she knows" functions as a modal clause, expressing uncertainty or possibility regarding someone's knowledge. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to suggest a potential explanation or solution.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maybe she knows" is a grammatically sound and commonly used modal phrase expressing uncertainty about someone's knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions to suggest a possibility or offer a speculative explanation, with a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts, particularly news and media. While acceptable in most situations, formal settings might benefit from more direct alternatives. The phrase is well-supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources. It is best practice to consider that the frase is casual or inquisitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perhaps she is aware

Replaces "maybe" with "perhaps", a synonym suggesting slight uncertainty.

possibly she's informed

Uses "possibly" instead of "maybe" and "informed" for "knows", indicating a chance of her having information.

it's possible she's in the know

Emphasizes the possibility of her possessing inside or secret knowledge.

she might be aware

Substitutes "maybe" with "she might be", suggesting a potential awareness.

she could be knowledgeable

Replaces "knows" with "knowledgeable", focusing on her potential expertise.

it's conceivable she is aware

Uses "conceivable" to highlight that it is within the realm of possibility that she knows.

she is potentially informed

Focuses on the potential state of her being informed.

it's not impossible she knows

Employs a double negative to express the possibility of her knowledge.

chances are she is informed

Indicates probability over the uncertainty.

conceivably, she is familiar with it

Suggests a hypothetical scenario where she is familiar with the subject.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "maybe she knows" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can use phrases such as "it is possible she is aware", "she may be informed", or "it is conceivable she is familiar with it depending on the context".

Is "maybe she knows" grammatically correct?

Yes, "maybe she knows" is grammatically correct. "Maybe" functions as an adverb modifying the clause "she knows", indicating uncertainty.

What's the difference between "maybe she knows" and "perhaps she knows"?

Both "maybe she knows" and "perhaps she knows" express uncertainty. "Perhaps" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "maybe", but they are largely interchangeable.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "maybe she knows"?

The phrase "maybe she knows" is appropriate in informal conversations, casual writing, and situations where expressing uncertainty or speculation is acceptable. It's suitable when you're suggesting a possibility without claiming definitive knowledge.