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Wangqh2696122 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

May I....? vs Shall I...？

—I hear you've got a set of valuable Australian coins.___I have a look?
—Yes,certainly.
A. shall B. May

Which is correct? What's the difference between May I.... and Shall I...?
  

Top answer

Shall I hear you've got a set of valuable Australian coins. May I have a look? "Shall" is very similar to "will" but nowadays it's mostly used in the first person singular/plural to express intent.

— Ivanhr

  • Shall I hear you've got a set of valuable Australian coins.
  • May I have a look?
  • "Shall" is very similar to "will" but nowadays it's mostly used in the first person singular/plural to express intent.
  • "May", on the other hand, is used to ask permission (to do something).
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7 Answers
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Shall I hear you've got a set of valuable Australian coins. May I have a look?

"Shall" is very similar to "will" but nowadays it's mostly used in the first person singular/plural to express intent. "May", on the other hand, is used to ask permission (to do something).
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Hi,

Here's the basic idea.

May I? Will you allow me to have a look?

Shall I? Do you want me to have a look?

Clive
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I feel your explantion is to the point. But, in this particular case, are both answers possible?
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No, in your test question, only "May I" works.

I just got these coins, but I'm not sure they are authentic. I know you are a leading expert, so...

Ah. Shall I?

In that case, it's "Do you want me have a look at them, then?"

In your test question, the person is asking for permission to look at them. There is no reason to think the first person is requesting assis
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Ivanhr Shall I hear you've got a set of valuable Australian coins. May I have a look? quote]

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