Will, Shall, May and Can: Ability, Offers and Permission

I’ll carry your bag.

💡 An immediate offer.

I will call you tonight.

💡 A promise in context.

The journey will take an hour.

💡 A prediction about duration.

Will you join us?

💡 A question about willingness or plans.

I won’t forget the ticket.

💡 A negative promise.

Shall I close the door?

💡 The speaker offers an action.

Shall we take a break?

💡 A shared suggestion.

Shall I write the address down?

💡 An offer to help.

It may rain later.

💡 An uncertain possibility.

The café may be closed.

💡 The speaker does not know for sure.

May I come in?

💡 A formal permission request.

You may leave after the meeting.

💡 Permission is granted.

I can swim.

💡 Personal ability.

She can repair bicycles.

💡 Can does not take -s.

Can I borrow your pen?

💡 A normal permission request.

We can hear the music outside.

💡 Circumstances make hearing possible.

I can’t lift this box.

💡 Inability in the situation.

Can you see the sign?

💡 A question about present ability or perception.

❌ She cans swim.

✅ She can swim.

Say can, may or will with he and she too. Do not add -s.

❌ I will to call.

✅ I will call.

After will, use call without to.

❌ She may arrives late.

✅ She may arrive late.

After may, use the basic verb: arrive, not arrives.

1. A — will

💡 Use will with I. Keep carry in its basic form.

2. B — Shall we take a break?

💡 Shall we…? suggests doing something together. Use take after shall.

3. A — She can cook.

💡 Use cook directly after can, without to.

4. B — Permission to come in.

💡 May I…? politely asks whether an action is allowed.

5. A — Can I sit here?

💡 Can I…? can ask permission. Use sit, not sitting.