perhaps */*/*/

perhaps */*/*/
UK [pə(r)ˈhæps] / US [pərˈhæps] adverb
Summary:

Perhaps can be used in the following ways: - as a sentence adverb (making a comment on the whole sentence or clause): Perhaps we've met before. - as an ordinary adverb (before a number): He was perhaps 95.
1)
a) used for saying that you are not certain about something, or that something may or may not be true

I wondered if perhaps he had fallen ill.

It is perhaps not a good idea for a seven-year-old to use a calculator.

b) used when you are guessing a number or amount or are not certain about it

There were perhaps a dozen women in the audience.

Cook the potatoes until they are tender – perhaps 15 minutes.

2) spoken used when you are making a suggestion, giving advice, or making a polite request

You don't look well – perhaps you should go to the doctor.

Perhaps we could all go out and have a meal sometime?

Perhaps you can explain what went wrong?

3) used for giving an opinion when you want to be polite and not seem too certain or definite

Perhaps it would be better for his party if he resigned.

His latest novel is perhaps his best.

4) spoken used as a polite reply to someone when you do not completely agree with what they have said

"I think he must have made a mistake." "Yes, perhaps."


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Perhaps — Per*haps , adv. [Per + hap chance.] By chance; peradventure; perchance; it may be. [1913 Webster] And pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Acts viii. 22. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • perhaps — 1520s, formed from M.E. per, par by, through + plural of hap chance (see HAPPEN (Cf. happen)), on model of peradventure, perchance, etc. which now have been superseded by this word …   Etymology dictionary

  • perhaps — [adv] possibly as it may be, as the case may be, conceivably, feasibly, for all one knows, imaginably, it may be, maybe, perchance, reasonably; concept 552 Ant. improbably, never, unlikely …   New thesaurus

  • perhaps — ► ADVERB 1) expressing uncertainty or possibility. 2) used when making a polite request or suggestion. ORIGIN from PER(Cf. ↑per) + HAP(Cf. ↑H) …   English terms dictionary

  • perhaps — [pər haps′] adv. [ PER1 + haps, pl. of HAP1] possibly; maybe …   English World dictionary

  • perhaps — [[t]pə(r)hæ̱ps, præ̱ps[/t]] ♦ 1) ADV: ADV with cl/group (vagueness) You use perhaps to express uncertainty, for example, when you do not know that something is definitely true, or when you are mentioning something that may possibly happen in the… …   English dictionary

  • perhaps — per|haps [ pər hæps ] adverb *** Perhaps can be used in the following ways: as a sentence adverb (making a comment on the whole sentence or clause): Perhaps we ve met before. as an ordinary adverb (before a number): He was perhaps 95. 1. ) used… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • perhaps — per|haps W1S2 [pəˈhæps, præps US pər , præps] adv [Date: 1400 1500; Origin: per + haps, plural of hap chance (13 20 centuries) ( HAPPY)] 1.) used to say that something may be true, but you are not sure = ↑maybe ▪ Perhaps she s next door. ▪… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • perhaps — adverb 1 possibly; maybe: This is perhaps her finest novel yet. | Perhaps she s next door. | Do you think Mark s upset? Perhaps. | perhaps not: Do you think I dare ask him? Perhaps not. 2 used to say that a number is only a guess: The room was… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • perhaps*/*/*/ — [pəˈhæps] adv 1) used for saying that you are not certain whether something is true I haven t seen them for months – perhaps they ve moved away.[/ex] There were perhaps a dozen women in the audience.[/ex] 2) spoken used when you are making a… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

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