maybe和probably意义不同,probably是副词,有most likely的意味,表示很有可能发生的;maybe也是副词,表示也许,可能,也就是或许如此,或许不如此,常位于句首,但probably比maybe肯定意味强烈。
与maybe含义相近的副词还有perhaps和possibly。perhaps用于正式语体中,maybe美语中常用,比较口语化,但probably的表示可能性最大。
如:He was absent from school yesterday,maybe he was ill. 他昨天没来上课,可能生病了。(可能生病,不太确定)
He studies very hard, he will probably succeed in the exam. 他学习非常用功,他很有可能考试成功。(因为用功,所以成功的可能性很大)
You could put it over there,maybe. 也许你可以把它搁在那边。
He didn't feel quite right;maybe he got sunstroke. 他觉得不太好;也许是有点中暑。
The doctor thinks maybe we'd better have a minor operation. 医生认为也许我们最好做个小手术。