Quizas, tal vez, a lo mejor

Question

Do they all mean the same thing? And can they all be used interchangebly?

Answer 1

"Quizás" "quizá" "talvez" express some doubt like "maybe" and can be used to note the same nuance.

"A lo mejor" has slightly less doubt and is similar to "most likely" and "probably."

That may explain why it takes the indictive. - BellaMargarita, Dec 21, 2012

I like 'chances are' too for 'a lo mejor' ;) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 22, 2012

Answer 2

Using "Quizás" requires that you use the subjunctive in the phrase that follows.

You can use either the subjunctive or the indicative with "tal vez", depending on the speaker's judgement of the likelihood of the action happening:

Tal vez vaya a la fiesta esta noche. Maybe s/he'll go to the party tonight (but I kind of doubt it).

Tal vez va a la fiesta esta noche. Maybe s/he´s going to the party tonight (I kind of got that impression).

Thanks! That's good to know. :) - mesellers, Dec 21, 2012

good answer! - kyle_hurley, Dec 21, 2012

You may find this mini lesson helpful http://learnenglishspanishonline.webs.com/apps/forums/topics/show/7905289-tal-vez-quiz-and-quiz-s-do-you-follow-them-with-the-subjunctive-or-the-indicative- - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 21, 2012

Hi Klonfasp, although some grammar books will oversimplify the use of quizás by saying it must always be followed by the subjunctive I think you'll find that in real life, just like tal vez it may also be followed by the indicative. - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 21, 2012

It depends on the degree of certainity the one wants to give, indictive you are pretty certain sunjunctive you are not. - BellaMargarita, Dec 21, 2012

Answer 3

This may help