What is the difference between shall and can

Do you want me to drop you off at home? There are several other ways you can ask that sort of thing: " Need a lift home? Improve this answer. SovereignSun SovereignSun Aside from the fact that the intended verb was probably "drop off," the best form to convey an offer Is "May I drop you off. I don't think ability applies in this informal conversation. More here.

So, the version I would recommend is: Can I drop you off? Here's another way you might make the same offer: Can I give you a ride home? Actually, both " drop " and " drop off " are possible. Of course I'm not a native speaker but I remember both usages from films and books. Featured on Meta. Now live: A fully responsive profile. Related 4. Hot Network Questions.

Question feed. Download the app. We have two books: 1 "Smashing Grammar" Written by the founder of Grammar Monster , "Smashing Grammar" has an A-Z glossary of grammar terms, a punctuation section, and a chapter on easily confused words. Each entry starts with a simple explanation and some basic examples before giving real-life, entertaining examples. Every entry ends with a summary explaining why the grammar point matters to a writer. If you like Grammar Monster, you'll love this book.

Practical rather than academic, this best seller is packed with real-life examples and great quotations from Homer the Greek to Homer the Simpson. It is a light-hearted, easily digestible grammar reference. Most of the formal or informal sentences have these modal verbs that indicates the positivity or the negativity of the sentences hence before using these modal verbs, one should probably understand the context of using these words.

Shall majorly focus on the suggestions and the possibilities of things happening in future and can majorly focus on expressing opportunity, suggestions and voluntarily doing things in the present and it is usually used in those contexts which are usually informal. Skip to content There are particular words in every language that simplifies a complex sentence into simple word. When to Use Shall?

When to Use Can? Main Differences Between Shall and Can The main difference between shall and can is the tense that is associated with. Shall is always in future tense and can is always in present tense. Shall focus on making an offer or suggestions but can focus on expressing opportunities, promising and volunteering. Shall does not offer intense affirmation on giving support while can gives a strong statement.

Shall is used in Formal statements to describe obligations whereas can is used to seek permissions. Shall focus on the probable answer of doing things mentioned in the sentence but can focus on the definite answer of doing things.