Modal verbs in the present tense (Edexcel GCSE German): Revision Notes
Modal verbs in the present tense
What are modal verbs?
Modal verbs are special verbs that work together with other verbs to express ideas like ability, necessity, permission, or desire. In German, modal verbs require an infinitive verb to complete their meaning, and this infinitive always goes to the end of the clause or sentence.
Modal verbs are among the most frequently used verbs in German and are essential for expressing different levels of certainty, obligation, and possibility in everyday conversation.
The six main modal verbs
Können (to be able to / can)
This modal verb expresses ability or possibility.
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | kann |
| du | kannst |
| er/sie/es/man | kann |
| wir | können |
| ihr | könnt |
| Sie/sie | können |
Example Usage: Kannst du Deutsch sprechen? (Can you speak German?)
Notice how the infinitive verb "sprechen" moves to the end of the sentence.
Müssen (to have to / must)
This modal verb expresses necessity or obligation.
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | muss |
| du | musst |
| er/sie/es/man | muss |
| wir | müssen |
| ihr | müsst |
| Sie/sie | müssen |
Example Usage: Wie lange muss ich warten? (How long do I have to wait?)
The infinitive "warten" appears at the end of the question.
Wollen (to want to)
This modal verb expresses desire or intention.
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | will |
| du | willst |
| er/sie/es/man | will |
| wir | wollen |
| ihr | wollt |
| Sie/sie | wollen |
Example Usage: Wir wollen heute ankommen. (We want to arrive today.)
The infinitive "ankommen" is positioned at the end of the sentence.
Dürfen (to be allowed to / may)
This modal verb expresses permission or what is permitted.
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | darf |
| du | darfst |
| er/sie/es/man | darf |
| wir | dürfen |
| ihr | dürft |
| Sie/sie | dürfen |
Example Usage: Er darf heute nicht ausgehen. (He's not allowed to go out today.)
Even in negative sentences, the infinitive "ausgehen" stays at the end.
Sollen (ought to / should)
This modal verb expresses recommendation or duty.
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | soll |
| du | sollst |
| er/sie/es/man | soll |
| wir | sollen |
| ihr | sollt |
| Sie/sie | sollen |
Example Usage: Man soll nicht so oft fliegen. (People should not fly so often.)
The infinitive "fliegen" appears at the end, following the modal verb rule.
Mögen (to like)
This modal verb expresses preference or liking.
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | mag |
| du | magst |
| er/sie/es/man | mag |
| wir | mögen |
| ihr | mögt |
| Sie/sie | mögen |
Example Usage: Ich mag fernsehen. (I like watching television.)
The infinitive "fernsehen" moves to the end position.
One of the most useful forms of mögen is ich möchte (I would like), which is more polite than ich will. This is the conditional form and is widely used in polite requests.
Word order with modal verbs
When using modal verbs, remember that the main verb becomes an infinitive and moves to the end of the sentence or clause. This is a crucial rule for German sentence structure.
Word Order Pattern: Subject + Modal verb + (other elements) + Infinitive verb
This pattern is fundamental to German grammar and must be followed consistently when using modal verbs.
Practice exercises
Try rewriting these sentences with the correct form of the modal verb in brackets:
Practice Sentences:
- Ich habe eine Geburtstagsparty. (wollen)
- Er geht nicht in die Bar in der Stadt. (dürfen)
- Man schützt die Umwelt. (sollen)
- Das machen wir nächste Woche. (können)
- Alle Schüler machen täglich Hausaufgaben. (müssen)
- Ich schwimme im Meer. (mögen)
Answers:
- Ich will eine Geburtstagsparty haben.
- Er darf nicht in die Bar in der Stadt gehen.
- Man soll die Umwelt schützen.
- Das können wir nächste Woche machen.
- Alle Schüler müssen täglich Hausaufgaben machen.
- Ich mag im Meer schwimmen.
Key Points to Remember:
- Modal verbs require an infinitive verb at the end of the sentence
- There are six main modal verbs: können, müssen, wollen, dürfen, sollen, mögen
- Each modal verb has its own conjugation pattern that you need to memorise
- Ich möchte (I would like) is more polite than "ich will" (I want)
- The word order changes when using modal verbs - the main verb moves to the end as an infinitive