maybe that

USAGE SUMMARY

"maybe that" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are making a suggestion or expressing uncertainty about something. For example, "Maybe that's why I didn't do well on the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Maybe that can change".

The New York Times

Maybe that was unrealistic.

The New York Times

"Maybe that helps.

The New York Times

"Maybe that will come.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe that sounds right.

The Economist

"Maybe that was good".

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe that sounds terrible.

The New Yorker

Maybe that will work.

The New York Times

Maybe that is premature.

The New York Times - Sports

"Or maybe that one.

The New Yorker

Maybe that was it.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maybe that" when you want to express uncertainty or suggest a possibility without making a firm statement. For example, "The project might be delayed. Maybe that gives us time to refine our strategy."

Common error

In formal writing, avoid relying too heavily on "maybe that". Instead, consider more precise alternatives such as "it is possible that" or "it is conceivable that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "maybe that" is to serve as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by expressing uncertainty or possibility. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Maybe that" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express uncertainty or possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in various sources, particularly in News & Media. While its register leans toward neutral to informal, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "perhaps that" or "it is possible that" in professional contexts. Understanding its function and usage patterns can help writers use "maybe that" effectively to convey nuance and avoid definitive statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perhaps that

Emphasizes a slightly more formal tone compared to "maybe that".

possibly that

Indicates a slightly lower probability than "maybe that".

it's possible that

Introduces the possibility more explicitly with a full clause.

could it be that

Presents the possibility as a question, implying uncertainty.

it might be that

Expresses a slightly weaker degree of certainty than "maybe that".

conceivably that

Suggests something is imaginable or possible, though perhaps unlikely.

that is possibly the case

A more formal and elaborate way of expressing a possibility.

it is conceivable that

Similar to 'conceivably that', but uses a more formal tone.

potentially that

Highlights the potential for something to be true or to happen.

that could be

Expresses agreement or acknowledgement of a possibility suggested by someone else

FAQs

How can I use "maybe that" in a sentence?

You can use "maybe that" to express a possibility or suggestion. For example, "The weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow. "Maybe that will be a good day to go to the beach"."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "maybe that"?

Alternatives to "maybe that" include "perhaps that", "possibly that", or "it is possible that", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "maybe that" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "maybe that" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "it is conceivable that" or "it is possible that".

What's the difference between "maybe that" and "perhaps that"?

Both "maybe that" and "perhaps that" express uncertainty, but "perhaps that" is often perceived as slightly more formal and refined.