語感 Dictionary

もしかすると〜かもしれない

moshikasuru to 〜kamoshirenai

JLPT N3 Neutral Chapter 57: N3: Inference (It Seems / Probably), 2 of 3

Formation

もしかすると + Sentence + かもしれない

Express the possibility of something; 'maybe', 'perhaps', 'might'.

When to use

Slightly more deliberate/emphasized version of かもしれない, often introducing a surprising possibility.

Explanation

The もしかすると〜かもしれない grammar point is used to indicate that there might be a possibility of a certain situation happening or someone feeling a certain way. This structure is often used to describe uncertain situations and can be translated into English as 'maybe', 'perhaps', or 'might'.

Example sentences

  • もしかすると彼かれは遅刻ちこくするかもしれない。

    Maybe he might be late.

    Moshikasuru to kare wa chikoku suru kamoshirenai.

  • もしかすると彼女かのじょは疲つかれているかもしれない。

    Perhaps she might be tired.

    Moshikasuru to kanojo wa tsukarete iru kamoshirenai.

  • もしかすると雨あめが降ふるかもしれない。

    It might rain, maybe.

    Moshikasuru to ame ga furu kamoshirenai.

  • もしかすると彼かれらはその映画えいがが好すきじゃないかもしれない。

    Maybe they might not like that movie.

    Moshikasuru to karera wa sono eiga ga suki janai kamoshirenai.

Inference (It Seems / Probably)

Compare when to use each

Corpus examples (2)