Perhaps is an adverb meaning possibly or maybe. It is used to express uncertainty about whether something is true or will happen, and to make suggestions or requests sound more polite and tentative.
What Does Perhaps Mean?
Perhaps comes from the 15th-century English phrase per haps, where per means "by" (from Latin) and haps means "chances" or "fortunes" (from Old Norse happ, meaning luck or chance). The same root gives us happen, happy, and mishap. It entered written English around 1500 as a single word and has remained in continuous use ever since.
In modern English, perhaps is one of the most versatile adverbs a learner can acquire. It performs three main roles: expressing genuine uncertainty (Perhaps she missed the train), softening a suggestion or request to make it more polite (Perhaps we could try a different approach?), and qualifying a statement to show the speaker is aware it might not be entirely accurate (Perhaps the most famous example is Shakespeare).
Compared with its near-synonym maybe, perhaps leans slightly more formal and is strongly associated with written British English. Both words are acceptable in any register, but perhaps is the safer choice in formal essays, business correspondence, and academic writing.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| Perhaps we can go to the park tomorrow. | A2 — making a tentative plan |
| She is tired. Perhaps she needs a rest. | B1 — expressing a simple deduction |
| Perhaps you could send me the report by Friday? | B1 — softening a workplace request |
| Perhaps the most common mistake is confusing its and it's. | B2 — qualifying a claim in writing |
| This is perhaps the clearest articulation of the theory to date, though it remains open to challenge. | C1 — academic hedging in formal prose |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| perhaps the most | Perhaps the most important factor is trust. |
| perhaps the best | This is perhaps the best restaurant in the city. |
| perhaps even | The task is difficult, perhaps even impossible. |
| perhaps not | Perhaps not everyone agrees, but the evidence is clear. |
| perhaps surprisingly | Perhaps surprisingly, the results were positive. |
| perhaps more importantly | Perhaps more importantly, the cost has fallen. |
| perhaps a little | She was perhaps a little too blunt in her reply. |
| perhaps the only | This is perhaps the only solution available. |
| perhaps the greatest | Shakespeare is perhaps the greatest writer in English. |
| perhaps rightly | He was, perhaps rightly, criticised for the delay. |
Usage Notes
How to Use Perhaps Correctly
- Sentence-initial position is the most common: Perhaps you are right. This is natural in both speech and writing.
- Mid-sentence position is also very common, especially for hedging in writing: This is perhaps the best example.
- End position is rare in standard British English and can sound awkward. Avoid ending a sentence with perhaps unless quoting informal speech.
- Politeness softener: When making a request or suggestion, placing perhaps at the start immediately lowers its directness: Perhaps you could call back later?
- Hedging in academic English: Writers use perhaps to signal that a claim is not absolute. This is a key academic writing skill at B2 and above.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
Perhaps she doesn't knows the answer.
Perhaps she doesn't know the answer. (perhaps does not affect the grammar of the main verb — the rest of the sentence must still be correct)
Maybe perhaps it will rain later.
Perhaps it will rain later. (do not use maybe and perhaps together — they are synonyms, so pick one)
I think perhaps that she left early.
Perhaps she left early. / I think she may have left early. (avoid stacking I think + perhaps — it creates redundant hedging)