Perhaps and maybe
Normalmente, en español utilizamos el subjuntivo para indicar que algo es incierto, por ejemplo cuando utilizamos quizá(s), tal vez y a lo mejor cuando hay dudas. La traducción inglesa es perhaps o maybe y normalmente utilizamos el presente o el futuro. El subjuntivo en inglés está desapareciendo poco a poco. Para los ingleses, siempre es difícil decidir cuando necesitamos utilizar el subjuntivo en español porque en inglés es más sencillo.
Normally, in Spanish we use the subjunctive to indicate that something is uncertain, for example when we use quizá(s), tal vez and a lo mejor and there are doubts. The English translation is perhaps or maybe and we normally use them with the present or future tense. The subjunctive in English is disappearing little by little. For the English, it's always difficult to decide when to use the subjunctive in Spanish because in English it's easier.
Quizá se vayan mañana (nota el uso del subjuntivo)
(we use the subjunctive in Spanish)
Perhaps they will leave tomorrow.
They will perhaps leave tomorrow.
Maybe they'll leave tomorrow.
(Utilizamos el futuro en inglés)
Podemos encontrar perhaps en posiciones diferentes en la frase. Pero normalmente, maybe es al comienzo de la frase. (No es una regla estricta, pero...)
We can find perhaps in different places in a sentence but normally maybe is found at the beginning. (Not a strict rule but...)
Frases que indican la incertidumbre
It's possible that - es posible que
It's likely that - es probable que
It's unlikely that - no es probable que... + subjuntivo
It's unlikely that he will go - No es probable que vaya
(Fíjase, el futuro en inglés, el subjuntivo en español)
(Note the future tense in English, subjunctive in Spanish)
It's probable that - es probable que
It's probable that they'll get divorced
Es probable que se divorcien (el subjunctivo)
I'm sure that - estoy seguro que
May, might, could
(la posibilidad en el presente o el futuro, possibility in the present or future)
He may + infinitive - puede (que) + verbo (quizá subjuntivo)
He may come tomorrow - puede venir mañana
He might come tomorrow
He could come tomorrow
May have, might have, could have
(la posibilidad en el pasado, the possibility in the past)
She may have been at home - ella pudo haber estado en casa
She might have been at home
She could have been at home
(Hay contracciones también: might've y could've
Pero NO
There are contractions in English: might've and could've
but NOT
NB - may y could puede significar también permissión o opportunidad o habilidad. May and could can also mean permission, opportunity or ability.
He could go shopping - el podía ir de compras, el puede ir de compras
May I go to Barcelona? - ¿Puedo ir a Barcelona?
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