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- English (US)
"Can I help you?" and "May I help you?" are usually phrases used to offer assistance to someone. For example when entering a store, an employee might greet you and say: "Hi, how can I help you?" To which you could reply "Hello, I'm looking for shoes (or whatever you came into the store to buy), then the employee could say, "Shall I help you find your size?" Which is more specific to what they are helping you find.
- English (US)
"May I help you?" Sounds more polite than "Can I help you?"
I believe "Shall I help you?" is used when confusion has already been established.
- English (US)
"May" is used when you need to ask for permission to do something.
Example: Asking your teacher "May I use the restroom?"
"Can" is used to ask if something is possible.
Example: "Can you do it?"
"Can I help you?" and "May I help you?" are both correct and almost the same, but "Can I help you?" is like asking "Is there something you need help with?"
And "May I help you?" is like "Is it okay if I help you?"
"Shall I?" = "Do you want me to?" "Should I?"
The differences are very small and many native speakers do not know either, so don't worry too much about it!
- Spanish (Spain)
- Spanish (Spain)
@alliekat: Thanks.
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- Spanish (Spain)
@majorjie: Thanks
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