different between propose vs maybe

English

Etymology

From Middle English proposen, from Anglo-Norman proposer (verb), propos (noun), Middle French proposer (verb) , propos (noun), from Latin pr?p?n?, pr?p?n?re, with conjugation altered based on poser. Doublet of propound.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /p???p??z/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /p???po?z/
• Rhymes: -??z

Verb

propose (third-person singular simple present proposes, present participle proposing, simple past and past participle proposed)

1. (transitive) To suggest a plan, course of action, etc.

   Synonyms: put forth, suggest, (rare) forthput

   • 2019, VOA Learning English (public domain)

     President Moon Jae-in proposed the plan this week during a meeting with government officials, his spokesman said.

2. (intransitive, sometimes followed by to) To ask for a person's hand in marriage.

3. (transitive) To intend.
   • 1859, John Gorham Palfrey, History of New England, Preface (Google preview):

     I propose to relate, in several volumes, the history of the people of New England.
4. (obsolete) To talk; to converse.
   • 1599, William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act 3 Scene 1:

     HERO. Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour;

     There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice

     Proposing with the prince and Claudio

5. (obsolete) To set forth.
   • 1616, George Chapman (translator), Homer's Iliad, book 11:

     . . . so weighty was the cup,

     That being propos'd brimful of wine, one scarce could lift it up.

Usage notes

• In use 1, this is sometimes a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing).
• In use 3, this is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive.
• For more information, see Appendix:English catenative verbs
• Compared to to suggest, to propose is more deliberate and definite. To suggest is merely to mention, while to propose is to have a definite plan and intention.

Derived terms

• proposal
• proposement

Related terms

• proponent
• proposition

Translations

Noun

propose (plural proposes)

1. (obsolete) An objective or aim.

Anagrams

• opposer, poopers

French

Verb

propose

1. inflection of proposer:
   1. first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive
   2. second-person singular imperative

Anagrams

• opposer

Italian

Verb

propose

1. third-person indicative past historic of proporre

Anagrams

• propeso

English

Alternative forms

• may-be (obsolete)
• mebbe (dialectal)

Etymology

From an ellipsis of it may be, equivalent to may +? be. Compare mayhap.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) enPR: m?'b?, IPA^(key): /?me?bi/, [?me??bi]
• Rhymes: -e?bi

Adverb

maybe (not comparable)

1. Modifies a verb, indicating a lack of certainty: it may be that...

2. (as a pro-sentence) Perhaps that is true (expressing no commitment to a decision or a neutral viewpoint to a statement).
   • 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)

     Okay. See you later, maybe. — Maybe I’ll see you later.

Usage notes

• Do not confuse maybe with the verb construction may be: "Maybe that's true", but "That may be true".

Synonyms

• (perhaps): mayhaps, peradventure, perhaps, possibly
• (as a pro-sentence): could be, mayhaps, might be, perhaps, possibly, that’s possible

Derived terms

• and I don't mean maybe

Translations

Adjective

maybe (comparative more maybe, superlative most maybe)

1. Possible; uncertain.
   • 1687, John Dryden, The Hind and the Panther, part III line 294

     Then add those may-be years thou hast to live

Noun

maybe (plural maybes)

1. (informal) Something that is possibly true.
2. (informal) An answer that shows neither agreement nor disagreement.

3. (informal) A future event that may or may not happen.

Synonyms

• perhaps

Derived terms

• definite maybe

Anagrams

• Mabey, abyme, beamy, embay