1. Modals
Startblock In both English and German, modal verbs modify the meaning of another verb.
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2. Modals
Modals express an attitude towards an action, such as permission, obligation, ability, desire, or necessity. May, can, and must are examples of English modals.
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3. Modals
Except for sollen, all of the German modals are irregular in their present tense singular forms.
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4. Modals
When you use a modal to modify the meaning of another verb, put the conjugated form of the modal in second position. Put the infinitive of the other verb at the end of the sentence.
Ich muss Französisch lernen.
I have to study French.
Ich will Französisch lernen.
I want to learn French.
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5. Dürfen expresses permission.
Modals
To form a yes-or-no question, move the modal verb to the beginning of the sentence, while the verb it modifies remains at the end.
Dürfen expresses permission.
Willst du Wasser trinken?
Do you want to drink water?
Könnt ihr eurer Mutter helfen?
Can you help your mother?
Mama, darf ich heute Nachmittag
schwimmen gehen?
Mom, may I go swimming this afternoon?
Nein, Lina, du darfst nicht heute
schwimmen gehen.
No, Lina, you may not go swimming today.
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6. Können expresses ability. Müssen expresses obligation.
Modals
Können expresses ability.
Müssen expresses obligation.
Peter kann Ski fahren.
Peter can ski.
Kannst du Fahrrad fahren?
Can you ride a bicycle?
Anita und Markus müssen viel lernen.
Anita and Markus have to study a lot.
Muss Maria Spanisch lernen?
Does Maria have to learn Spanish?
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7. Modals
Sollen conveys the expectation that a task be completed (to be supposed to). Note that, unlike the English should or ought, sollen implies an expectation that comes from someone other than the subject.
Du sollst das Buch lesen.
You are supposed to read the book.
Soll ich nach Hause gehen?
Am I supposed to go home?
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8. Wollen expresses desire.
Modals
Wollen expresses desire.
Sie wollen Musikerinnen werden.
They want to become musicians.
Willst du eine Katze haben?
Do you want to get a cat?
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