(1)maybe意为“大概,或许”,多用于口语,还可用于礼貌的建议或请求,多用于句首或句末,美国用法。
例: Maybe I'll go.我或许会去。
(2)perhaps意为“也许,可能,大概”,比较正式,还可用于建议,请求及温和的命令,英国用法。
例:This is perhaps his best novel yet.这也许是他迄今为止写得最好的一部小说。
Perhaps/Maybe you would like to join us for lunch.也许您愿意和我们一块去吃午饭。(表请求)
You'd better go now,perhaps.您最好还是现在就走。(表命令)
(3)probably意为“大概,很可能”,所表示的可能性比maybe,perhaps实现的可能性大,多与动词连用。
例: John probably told his father all about the matter;he usually tells him everything.约翰很可能把这一切都告诉了他的父亲;他通常对父亲是什么都说的。(表可能性很大)
(4)possibly意为“可能地,也许,或许”,较probably意味弱,在肯定句里表可能性很小;在否定、疑问句中与can,could连用,表示“无论如何也不”,肯定句中与can,could连用,以加强语气,表示“设法,竭力地”。
例: I'll do it as possibly as I can.我将尽我的所能去做。
(与can连用) I can't possibly drink any more.我无论如何不能再喝了。