Expresar posibilidad

Usamos may y might para decir que algo es posible, pero no estamos seguros. En la mayoría de los casos, podemos usarlos indistintamente.

Maybe vs. may be

Maybe he is at home.
= He may be at home.
= Quizá está en casa.

→ Maybe es una sola palabra y significa "quizá / tal vez".
→ May be es el verbo modal may + el verbo be (= ser/estar).

Posibilidad (presente o futuro)

Usa:
may/might + verbo en forma básica

Maybe you'll like it.
= You may like it.
= Quizá te guste.
Maybe Jack will go by bus.
= Jack may go by bus.
= Quizá Jack vaya en autobús.
Maybe she will come too.
= She might come too.
= Quizá ella también venga.

Posibilidad de que una acción esté ocurriendo ahora

Para decir que quizá algo está ocurriendo en este momento, usamos:
may/might + be + verbo-ing

Maybe Kate is working.
= Kate may be working.
= Quizá Kate esté trabajando.
Maybe he's sleeping.
= He might be sleeping.
= Quizá esté durmiendo.
Maybe they're trying to help.
= They may be trying to help.
= Quizá estén intentando ayudar.

May not / Might not

Para decir que algo quizá no ocurra o que algo quizá no sea cierto, ponemos not después de may/might. El orden de las palabras no cambia.

Maybe they aren't happy.
= They may not be happy.
= Quizá no estén contentos.
Maybe Ann won't do it.
= Ann might not do it.
= Quizá Ann no lo haga.
Maybe it's not snowing.
= It may not be snowing.
= Quizá no esté nevando.

Resumen rápido

may/might + verbo básico
→ una situación posible en el presente o futuro
He might come.
= Quizá venga.
may/might + be + verbo-ing
→ una acción que quizá está ocurriendo ahora
She may be working.
= Quizá esté trabajando.
may not / might not + verbo
→ posibilidad de que algo no ocurra o no sea cierto
They might not know.
= Quizá no lo sepan.