或许，大概，可能　possibly but not certainly

　～ come　或许来
　～ so　也许是这样

　If you are good I shall perhaps take you for a walk this afternoon.　如果你乖，我今天下午可能带你出去散散步。
　I perhaps come across him tomorrow.　我明天也许会偶然遇到他。
　You want to make stay long in Beijing, perhaps?　你要在北京呆很长一段时间吗?
　Perhaps I am wrong, but I think she is over 60 years old.　我也许记错了，不过我猜想她已60出头了。
　Perhaps it will rain in the afternoon.　下午可能有雨。
　Perhaps they are in need of our help.　或许他们需要我们的帮助。
　Perhaps I can help you.　也许我能帮帮你的忙吧。
　Perhaps this is his finest novel yet.　这也许是至今为止他写得最好的一部小说。
　Perhaps you would be good enough to explain this for me?　请您为我解释这个，行吗?
　Perhaps you would be kind enough to read this.　就请你把它念一念好吗?
　Perhaps you would like to see it?　你可能想看这东西吧?
　"Will he come?""Perhaps so."　“他会来吗?”“也许会来。”
　"Will there be a film tonight?""Perhaps not."　“今晚放电影吗?”“可能不放。”

 ♣ perhaps, maybe, possibly, probably
　这四个词都有“可能，或许”的意思。其区别是：
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：
　

1. 也许他们终究会来的。
　［误］ It is perhaps that they will come after all.
　［正］ Perhaps they will come after all.
　［析］ perhaps不用于带有形式主语的句子中作表语。
2. 今天他可能会来。
　［误］ Perhaps he may come today.
　［正］ Perhaps he will come today.
　［析］ perhaps表示“或许”“可能”，是一种推测（相当于maybe)，不能再用情态动词may.

　［同义词］ maybe, possibly, probably
　［词源］　中古英语perhappes（由于碰到好运气也许会成功）