perhaps, maybe, possibly, probably
这四个词都有“可能,或许”的意思。它们的区别是：
1.probably指“多半”,其可能性超过一半; perhaps和maybe指“或许”,其可能性大致为一半; possibly仅指“也许”“有可能”,其可能性低于一半。例如:
Probably he will succeed.他很可能会成功。
Perhaps〔maybe〕 he will succeed.他也许会成功。
He will possibly succeed.他有可能成功。
2.maybe比perhaps更口语化,且要用于句首; perhaps可用于句末、句中、句首; probably多用于句中。
3.maybe和possibly可用于礼貌的建议或请求,另三个词无此义。例如:
Maybe you could move the chair.也许你可以挪动一下那张椅子。
Could you possibly lend me 1000 yuan ?你能借给我1000元钱吗?
perhaps在句中的位置不同,句子的含义也不同,试比较：
Perhaps he will leave for home.
也许他要离开这里回家去。
He will perhaps leave for home.
他恐怕要离开这里回家去。
He will leave,perhaps for home.
他要离开这里,恐怕是要回家去。
He will leave for home,perhaps.
恐怕他要离开这里回家去。
maybe，perhaps，possibly，probably
这些副词均有“或许、大概”之意。
maybe普通用词，美国英语多用，指某事也许如此，含不能确定意味。
perhaps普通用词，多用于英国，与maybe同义。
possibly指客观上潜存着发生某种变化的可能。
probably一般指根据逻辑推理，估计有发生的可能，把握性较大，语气比possibly强。
