Modal Verbs In German there are 6 modal verbs: Their function is to modify the meaning of other verbs. German English können To be able to, to know how to, can müssen To have to, must (necessity) wollen To want to dürfen To be allowed/permitted to sollen To be supposed to, is to (strong order) mögen To like

Modal Verbs Subject Predicate Verb Other Parts of Speech You recall that word order in statements is as follows: Nina and Alexander go/are going to the disco. When a modal verb is added, the sentence would appear as follows. The sentence now reads: Nina and Alexander want to go to the disco. Notice now that the modal verb is in the 2nd position (Verb1), while the infinitive verb (modified by the modal verb) is placed at the end of the clause/sentence (Verb2). Subject Predicate Verb Other Parts of Speech Nina und Alexander gehen in die Disco Subject Predicate Verb1 Other Parts of Speech Verb2 Nina und Alexander wollen in die Disco gehen

Modal Verbs Additional Examples German English Ich kann gut kochen. I can cook well. Ihr müsst um 17.00 Uhr zu Hause sein. You have to be home at 5 p.m. Willst du ins Kino gehen? Do you want to go to the movies? Darf ich den Film sehen, Mutti? May I see the movie, mom? Sie soll ihre Hausaufgaben machen. She should do her homework. Mögen Sie auch Wein, Frau Ziegler? Do you also like wine, Mrs. Ziegler? Questions with modal verbs follow similar rules as questions without modal verbs. The modal verb is placed 1st, followed by the subject in the 2nd position. Notice the placement of Mutti. When directing a question to someone, the infinitive is placed at the end of the clause, followed by a comma and the person whom you are speaking to.

Modal Verbs Möchte versus Mögen The modal verb möchte is a derivative of the modal verb mögen and means would like versus like or want. It is often used to ask politely for something. See the difference between these three sentences. Ich mag Schnitzel. (I like Schnitzel) Ich will Schnitzel essen. (I want to eat Schnitzel). Ich möchte Schnitzel essen. (I would like to eat Schnitzel) NOTE: when describing the liking of an activity, it is more common to use the adverb gern versus using mögen which expresses “absolute” likes/dislikes. Therefore ich esse gern Schnitzel would be the appropriate way of expressing you like to eat Schnitzel versus ich mag Schnitzel essen.

Modal Verbs Position of nicht Ich kann heute Morgen kommen. Ich kann nicht heute Morgen kommen, sondern heute Nachmittag. Notice the position of nicht is placed before the part of speech that is negated. By doing so, you are emphasizing you cannot come this morning. If you simply could not come, the sentence would appear as follows: Ich kann heute Morgen nicht kommen.

Modal Verbs Omission of Infinitive Sometimes it is not necessary to add the infinitive verb if the meaning of the sentence containing a modal is clear. For example: Ich muss nach Hause It is implied that you have to go home (to go, drive, run) in this sentence. Since this distinction is clear, the modal may be omitted. Ich möchte einen Kaffee It is implied you would like a coffee (to drink, have, order, etc.) but it is not necessary to include either of those infinitive verbs. gehen / fahren / laufen. trinken / haben / bestellen.

deine Hausafgaben machen gut kochen deine Hausafgaben machen ins Kino gehen?

gut schwimmen zum Arzt gehen das Fenster aufmachen?