That's as maybe
Hello!
I've come across this sentence:
That's as maybe but proving it is another matter.
After a search, I'm still not sure I understand fully the way "that's as maybe" is used here. As maybe... as what? Can it be replaced by "It may be"? I would appreciate if you could provide some examples of its use. Also, how common is this expression?
Thanks in advance for any help.
9 Answers
Yes, it's quite common. It is oldfashioned but it is a set phrase. Be that as it may..
I think it's really a British version of 'sea lo que sea.' ( or similar)
It can be replaced with : It may be that.. That may be so.. It's probably true..
That's as maybe, but I'm going home now, anyway.
Be that as it may, I couldn't care less.
That's as maybe, but the court still fined him a thousand punds, just like that!
It indicates that the other speaker is right but that something else is happening all the same.. I hope this helps, I'm trying to think of some other examples, but I think it usually starts the sentence, which then goes on to say that the speaker doesn't care , or similar.
Interesting,
We don´t to my knowledge use that exact construct in yanqui English, (It´s more British) but we do use the similar
That may be.
or
Be that as it may.
or
It may be that.
In any case, we wouldn´t generally have may and be pushed together. Should be may...be.
It´s a bit like mistaking por qué and porque. Very related in context and spelling, but not the same thing.
I don´t think this is a case of maybe (quizás - perhaps) but may... be
Contextually, they´re usually used in a debate, to give some credence to the opponent´s point, but then introduce a contrary opinion anyway.
Speaker1. We have a tight budget, and therefore need to cut aide to the poor Speaker2. Be that as it may (That might be), but we can´t simply cut it 100%.
hope that helps.
Roger
Thanks everyone for your wonderful answers. I take in it is basically a British thing, and it could be translated into Spanish as:
Es posible (que tengas razón), pero va a ser difícil demostrarlo.
What puzzled me was the use of the word "as", but if it's a set phrase, as Annierats said, I will just take it as it is.
I understand that the meaning is close to the sentence "that's a maybe", but I'm not that sure that they can be used interchangeably. I wouldn't have had trouble to understand "that's a maybe", but "that's as maybe", as it's written, made me struggle.
As for the spelling, I can see why some people pointed out that it would make more sense to write it separately, but in the book I've read it, it's spelt altogether: "That's as maybe"
Thanks for your very helpful asnwers!
I'm a bit late and can see that the question has been admirable answered already, but just to confirm (seeing as we speak British English here in NZ) yes I'd say it's a British thing. Although it may not be a phrase you'll hear all the time, I have heard it fairly frequently throughout my life (may have something to do with my parents speaking 'the Queen's English' jeje) although I think I'd be more likely to say 'be that as it may'.
I think it's often used as a courteous way of not taking issue with whatever has just been said.
Eg. If someone voices quite a strong opinion on a subject, and you perhaps disagree just as strongly, but don't want to make an issue of it right then and there, you can acknowledge what they've said with a 'that's as may be' or the equivalent (and I'd say more usual) 'be that as it may' and then carry on with something that is less touchy.
It doesn't always signify that you don't agree with what is said but is a very neutral saying that allows acknowledgement without signalling your own accord or discord.
And there is my 2c ...
I think Billy's last sentence is a perfect demo:
You ate the last cup-cake, didn't you?
Be that as it may, you can never prove it!
It means: You may be right, but, ha, you'll struggle to prove it.
I think the Spanish version might actually be something like;
- ¿ Comiste el último pastel?
- Por supuesto, ¿ pero donde está la prueba? ( this said whilst patting the stomach)
Hola Cogu.
That's as maybe is not really used too often (well I've never used it anyway). I think it means -- that may be so or that may be the case.
What we do use all the time is - that's a maybe.
"that's a maybe" is quite an informal way of not committing yourself. It's a sort of conversational chitty chatty type expression. A more formal synonym would be "it could/may/might be possible".
Examples:
Two girls chatting on skype about a boy at school. Basically she is not committing herself to giving a definite yes or no answer here ......
He asked me out, I said "erm, it's a maybe!"
A group of blokes deciding whether to have a curry after a few beers.......
"What do you fancy doing later, a curry perhaps?"
"I'll see how I feel, let's just say it's a maybe!"
My wife says to me...............
"You ate the last cake didn't you?"
I say....................
"That's a maybe, but proving it is another matter!" jejejejejeje
Kiwi said:
it's a British thing. Although it may not be a phrase you'll hear all the time
I agree because I have never heard that sentence structure before and I have taught English.
In the United States we'd say something like....
- That may be, but proving it is another matter.
I've heard it used as a fairly inoffensive dismissal of a comment pointing to the fact that it's "neither here nor there", usually with but:
"That's as maybe but what really matters is whether the gun was loaded or not"
I woud use ":That maybe, but proving it is another matter." Que puede ser pero demostrando que es otro asunto.
