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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Can you help me, please?
Can you help me, please?

tagoreluz1
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Can you help me, please?
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Do you ever use Shall I....? to ask for permission. Can I say: Shall I come in? Thanks a lot |
14 Dec 2014
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anapauladopazo
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Hi! shall is used for offers. to ask for permission you should use MAY/COULD/CAN. For example: may/could I come in? |
14 Dec 2014
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alien boy
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�Shall � is also very old fashioned. You really don �t find it commonly used by native English speakers at all. |
15 Dec 2014
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FrauSue
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You can use "shall" in very formal English to ask for confirmation that something you were going to do anyway is acceptable to the other person. "Shall I pour the tea?" or "You look cold. Shall I close the window?" for example. If you think that your action may be unwelcome, or you need clear permission to do it, then "may" is better. |
15 Dec 2014
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pcxx
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I agree with alien boy that it �s quite old fashioned. Everybody is right. You use shall for offers. |
15 Dec 2014
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cunliffe
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Maybe it �s old-fashioned if used to make a statement, but it �s quite usual for a question. |
15 Dec 2014
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