perhaps
- 01 A2 Elementary
adv.used to say that something might be true or might happen.
adv.used to express uncertainty or to indicate that a statement is a possibility rather than a fact.
Simple“Perhaps we should check the weather before we leave for our hike.”
In context“Perhaps the most significant finding of the study is that sleep quality impacts cognitive performance more than previously assumed.”
PitfallPerhaps will it rain tomorrow. Perhaps it will rain tomorrow.Unlike 'maybe', 'perhaps' does not usually trigger a change in word order; place it before the subject or the whole clause.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
adv.you use this to be polite when suggesting an idea or asking for something.
adv.employed as a pragmatic marker to soften a request, suggestion, or criticism, making it appear less direct.
Simple“Perhaps you could help me move this table to the other room?”
In context“Perhaps you would be kind enough to forward the revised contract to the legal department for a final review.”
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a thing that is not certain or has not been decided yet.
n.an uncertainty or a possibility that has not yet been confirmed. Often used in the plural 'perhapses'.
Simple“Life is full of 'perhapses' and very few certainties.”
In context“The future of the project is currently a series of perhapses, contingent upon the next round of venture capital funding.”
Synonyms
Usage perhaps the greatest · perhaps unsurprising
From Middle English perhappes, perhappous, variant of earlier perhap (“perhaps, possibly”), equivalent to per + hap (“chance, coincidence”) + -s, on model of Middle English parchaunce (modern perchance).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.