Plus:
- can vs could vs may vs might
- can vs could vs would
- can vs could vs be able to
SHALL
[Tweet โโShallโ is used when making suggestions or offering help. It is only used in the first person singular (I) and plural ( we).โ]
โShallโ is used when making suggestions or offering help. It is only used in the first person singular (I) and plural ( we).
SUGGESTIONS
- โShall we go to the cinema tonight?โ
โThatโs a great idea. Which cinema shall we go?โ
โLetโs go to Odeon.โ
- โShall we have a coffee break?โ
โThat would be nice. Iโm getting tired.โ
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OFFERING HELP
- โThese bags are too heavy.โ
โShall I carry them for you?โ
- โI donโt know if they have any tickets left.โ
โShall I call the organizers?โ
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The Difference Between SHALL and WILL
English Grammar: Usage of Shall vs Should with Examples
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CAN vs COULD
โCanโ and โcouldโ have many different functions:
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ABILITY
Use โcanโ to talk about things that you are able to do. Some people can sing very well, others canโt sing a note. Athletes can run very fast and chefs can cook really well.
- โShall we go on a boat trip?โ
โSorry, Iโd prefer to stay on the beach. I canโt swim.โ
- โMy husband can make very good spagetthi.โ
โYouโre lucky. My husband canโt cook at all.โ
- โCan your son ride a bicycle?โ
โYes, he can. He learnt how to ride last year.โ
- โHelp him. He canโt breathe.โ (not a general ability, itโs happening NOW)
- โWhereโs Chris? I canโt see him anywhere.โ (not a general ability, itโs happening NOW)
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If you want to talk about ability in the PAST, use โcouldโ.
- โI could ride a bike when I was six. How about you?โ
โI couldnโt ride one until I was fourteen.โ
- โMy daughter could speak when she was one.โ
โThatโs incredible. My son couldnโt speak until he was three.โ
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To talk about ability in other tenses use โABLE TOโ. (โcanโ only has present and past forms)
- โIโm sorry, I wonโt be able to go to your party.โ
(Future: will/wonโt be able to do something)
- โI havenโt been able to talk to him since the accident.โ
(Present Perfect: have/has been able to do something)
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Can vs Able To!
Can Could with Many Examples
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Use โABLE TOโ for INFINITIVES and GERUNDS
- โI want to be able to speak five languages.โ
- โI love being able to communicate with so many people.โ
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You can also use โABLE TOโ in the Present and the Past, but they sound a bit more formal.
- โNo matter what I do, Iโm not able to quit smoking.โ
- โShe wasnโt able to look me in the eye.โ
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Use โable toโ with modal verbs.
- โYou should be able to do that on your own by now.โ
- โHeโs an electrician. He must be able to fix this lamp.โ
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ASKING FOR SOMETHING
[Tweet โUse โCANโ, โCOULDโ and โMAYโ when asking for permission. โMAY โ is considered formal- people usually just say โCan Iโฆ?โโ]
Use โCANโ, โCOULDโ and โMAYโ when asking for permission. โMAY โ is considered formalโ people usually just say โCan Iโฆ?โ or more politely โCould Iโฆ?โ
- โ Can I possibly use your phone?โ
โOf course. No problem.โ
- โCould I take tomorrow afternoon off?โ
โSure. Just tell Susie about it.โ - โMay I wait here?โ
โIโm afraid, Sir, youโll have to wait downstairs.โ
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MAKING REQUESTS
[Tweet โโCANโ , โCOULDโ, โWILLโ and โWOULDโ are also used when asking somebody to do something for you. โ]
โCANโ , โCOULDโ, โWILLโ and โWOULDโ are also used when asking somebody to do something for you.
โCOULDโ and โWOULDโ are considered more polite.
- โCan you get me some coffee on the way back?โ
- โCan you sign it here, please?โ
- โWill you wait here until I call you?โ
- โCould you tell me the time, please?โ
- โWould you call back later, please?โ
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POSSIBILITY
[Tweet โWhen you are sure or not so sure about something, use โMUSTโ, โMAYโ, COULDโ, โMIGHTโ and โCANโTโโ]
When you are sure or not so sure about something, use โMUSTโ, โMAYโ, COULDโ, โMIGHTโ and โCANโTโ to express different levels of certainty.
- โIs that Jack at the door?โ
โYes, it must be him.โ (the speaker is 100% sure)
โNo, it canโt be him. Heโs at work.โ (the speaker is 100% sure)
- โCan you buy some more wine, please? Susan and her husband may pop in later.โ (the speaker is about 50% sure)
- โI might visit her when Iโm in Paris.โ (the speaker is about 30% sure)
- โHave you find your glasses?โ
โI havenโt. They could be in the car.โ (it is just one of many possibilities)