HUM: Modal Verbs
Modal Verbs
A modal verb is one that needs to be completed with an infinitive. So, for example, the notion of "must" in English is often expressed with the modal verb ought, which is followed by the to form of the verb (the infinitive):
- I ought to go to school.
- Notice: you cannot say: I ought to school. - the infinitive must be present to complete the meaning of the verb ought.
Die Modal Verben
German has several modal verbs, some of which were introduced in German I. The most common modal verbs in German are:
- können - can/be able (to)
- wollen - want (to)/be willing (to)
- müssen - must/have (to)
- mögen - like (to)
- sollen - should/am supposed (to)
- dürfen - can/am allowed (to)
Note - when writing the meaning for the verb in English, the word to is often included to indicate that the verb will take the infinitive. Also note that the German modal verbs all can be used in English without an infinitive:
- Ich soll gehen.
- I am supposed to go.
- I should go.
- It would not be correct to say: I should to go.
| Modal Verbs in German - Conjugated in the Present Tense | ||||||
| Present Tense | wollen | können | müssen | sollen | dürfen | mögen |
| ich | will | kann | muss | soll | darf | mag |
| du | willst | kannst | musst | sollst | darfst | magst |
| er/sie/es | will | kann | muss | soll | darf | mag |
| wir | wollen | können | müssen | sollen | dürfen | mögen |
| ihr | wollt | könnt | müsst | sollt | dürft | mögt |
| sie/Sie | wollen | können | müssen | sollen | dürfen | mögen |
Using Modal Verbs in German
The German modal verbs will always be followed by the infinitive form, which will be placed at the end of the sentence. When you use a modal verb (past or present) in a sentence, then the second verb goes to the end of the sentence and is in its infinitive form.
Examples
- Ich kann Deutsch lernen.
- I can learn German.
- I am able to learn German.
- Ich muss zur Schule gehen.
- I must go to school.
- I have to go to school.
- Ich will mit dir kommen.
- I want to come with you.
- I am willing to come with you.
- Sie soll Deutsch lernen.
- She should learn German.
- She ought to learn German.
- She is supposed to learn German.
- Musst du zur Schule gehen?
- Must you go to school?
- Do you have to go to school?
- Will sie Deutsch lernen?
- Does she want to learn German?
- Is she willing to learn German?
- Kann sie mit uns kommen?
- Can she come with us?
- Is she able to come with us?
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