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The conjugation will (to be) is part of the future tenses, while the word can is used by itself to mean a present ability, or as an auxiliary verb.

Will and shall are used in :

  • the future tense of to be (I am, I was, I will be)
  • the future perfect tense (I shall go, or I will go)
  • the future perfect progressive tense (I will be going)

The auxiliary verb "can" is used with the infinitive verb form (without to) to indicate an ability to perform the action. (e.g. I know how to drive, therefore I can drive.) The past tense or conditional tense is "could".

*Most grammaticists insist on using "may" for permission, so the expression "can I get the ball" would ask about your ability to get it, not whether you were allowed to.

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14y ago

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