Surely vs Maybe - What's the difference?
surely | maybe |
Without fail.
:
Certainly, undoubtedly.
:
*
*:But then I had the flintlock by me for protection. ¶ There were giants in the days when that gun was made; for surely no modern mortal could have held that mass of metal steady to his shoulder. The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window.
With confidence.
:
(as a pro-sentence ) perhaps that is true (expressing no commitment to a decision or a neutral viewpoint to a statement)
Possible; uncertain.
(informal) Something that is possibly true.
(informal) An answer that shows neither agreement nor disagreement.
(informal) A future event that may or may not happen.
As adverbs the difference between surely and maybe
is that surely is without fail while maybe is Modifies a verb, indicating a lack of certainty.As an adjective maybe is
possible; uncertain.As a noun maybe is
something that is possibly true.surely
English
Adverb
(en adverb)Quotations
*1611 , (King James Version of the Bible), 1:1 *:Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us.Synonyms
* certainly, wismaybe
English
(wikipedia maybe)Alternative forms
* (l) (obsolete) * (l) (dialectal)Adverb
(-)Usage notes
* Do not confuse maybe' with ' may be : "Maybe that's true", but "That may be true"Synonyms
* (perhaps) mayhaps, peradventure, perhaps, possibly * (as a pro-sentence) could be, mayhaps, might be, perhaps, possibly, that’s possibleDerived terms
* and I don't mean maybeAdjective
(en adjective)- Then add those may-be years thou hast to live ? Dryden.
Noun
(en noun)- The results of the poll were inconclusive. We got two yeses, three nos, and four maybes.
- About your raise: it's a big maybe .