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We use either may + have and might + have to show that something has possibly happened now or happened at some time in the past. (Learnenglish.britishcouncil.org)

What is the difference between the two answers this question? (Which one is correct?)

Question: Where has he gone?

Answer 1: Probably, he has gone to the canteen.

Answer 2: He may have gone to the canteen.

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    Either may be valid, but they do not mean the same thing: the first asserts that his going there is probable, the second that it is possible. . . . By the way, Anglo-American Englishes call for an article before canteen.
    – StoneyB on hiatus
    Mar 29, 2017 at 6:41
  • Anybody in here knows how to change my review from Approved to Rejected?
    – SovereignSun
    Mar 29, 2017 at 8:54

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The main difference between the two is the probability they implied. May have suggests a possibility without any comment on its probability. Probably, meanwhile, suggests something is likely to have happened. Say "probably" if you're pretty sure he went to the canteen; say "may have" if you think it's possible but don't really know either way.

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