Does Peut-Être Que Require the Subjunctive in French

One of the biggest questions French students have is whether certain words and phrases require the subjunctive. It can lead to a lot of confusion, particularly when an adverb meaning perhaps is involved as it is in  peut-à ªtre  que.  So, is this subjunctive or indicative? Does Peut-Être Que Need the Subjunctive? No, peut-à ªtre que does not take the subjunctive. This is actually a very tricky subjunctive or  indicative  question. We are typically told to hold the statement up against reality: is there any uncertainty to it? If there is, then it would need to take the subjunctive. Since the adverb peut-à ªtre que  means maybe or perhaps. Wouldnt that then make it uncertain? In theory, yes, but  peut-à ªtre que  is a form of pouvoir, which is to be able to. Also, the  verb à ªtre  means to be. In combination, there is no question expressed within the phrase. To put this into context, its best to do a comparison. This statement is indicative: Peut-à ªtre que tu nas pas besoin de cela.Maybe you dont need that. You can rephrase this statement in the form of a question that does take the subjunctive: Est-il possible que  vous  nen  ayez pas besoin?Is it possible that you dont need that? This is because the phrase il est  possible que  raises a possibility or a chance. That in itself requires the subjunctive because it questions the certainty.