may be
Not ruling out
May be as two words expresses possibility: There may be rain tomorrow, She may be right.
The separation from the single word maybe is grammatical—may be functions as verb phrase (modal + infinitive), while maybe is an adverb meaning perhaps.
It may be true and Maybe it's true convey the same uncertainty differently.
Expressing uncertainty
- possiblyWith some likelihood
- potentiallyWith latent possibility
- conceivablyWithin imagination's reach
- perchanceArchaic word for maybe
chance · likelihood · prospect · opportunity · feasibility · probability · eventuality · contingency
Not firmly known
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- unclearNot easily understood
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
indefinite · unpredictable · iffy · unsure · equivocal · nebulous · murky · vague
In assumed circumstances
- theoreticallyIn principle, not actuality
- supposedlyAs is claimed
- presumablyTaken as likely true
- assumablyTaken for granted
conjecturally · speculatively · guess · surmise · supposition · inference · postulation · extrapolation
Without full commitment
- provisionallyConditionally, pending confirmation
- cautiouslyIn a guarded manner
- conditionallyWith requirements attached
- guardedlyWith protective caution
qualifying · softening · hedging · noncommittal · reserved · diplomatic · careful · measured
Given or allowed officially
- admittedlyBy one's own acknowledgment
- arguablyOpen to debate
- allowablyIn a permitted manner
- concedingAcknowledging another's claim
acknowledging · accepting · agreeing · fair enough · I suppose · I guess · point taken · indeed
perhaps
Expressing uncertainty
- possiblyWith some likelihood
- potentiallyWith latent possibility
- conceivablyWithin imagination's reach
perchance · chance · likelihood · prospect · opportunity · feasibility · probability · eventuality · contingency · scenario
uncertain
Not firmly known
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- unclearNot easily understood
ambiguous · indefinite · unpredictable · iffy · unsure · equivocal · nebulous · murky · vague · indeterminate
hypothetically
In assumed circumstances
- theoreticallyIn principle, not actuality
- supposedlyAs is claimed
- presumablyTaken as likely true
assumably · conjecturally · speculatively · guess · surmise · supposition · inference · postulation · extrapolation · apparently
tentatively
Without full commitment
- provisionallyConditionally, pending confirmation
- cautiouslyIn a guarded manner
- conditionallyWith requirements attached
guardedly · qualifying · softening · hedging · noncommittal · reserved · diplomatic · careful · measured · moderated
granted
Given or allowed officially
- admittedlyBy one's own acknowledgment
- arguablyOpen to debate
- allowablyIn a permitted manner
conceding · acknowledging · accepting · agreeing · fair enough · I suppose · I guess · point taken · indeed · certainly
- modal phrasescan do, must not, will not, could have, might have
- Possibilityperhaps, possibly, could, might, potentially
- hedgessomewhat, I think, slightly, I believe, fairly
may beis
Present-tense existence verb
must be · is not · for sure · without question · no doubt
may beis
Present-tense existence verb
definitely · for certain · assuredly · decidedly · categorically
may bemust be
Is required to
is · without doubt · for certain · assuredly · indubitably