Grammar: Modal Verbs

Grammar: Modal Verbs

Understanding Modal Verbs

  • Modal verbs are a category of verbs that are used to express a speaker’s attitude toward the action or state they’re talking about.
  • Brainy way to remember: they modify the verb or express a mode of action.
  • In German, there are six modal verbs: müssen (must), können (can), dürfen (may), mögen (like), wollen (want), and sollen (should).
  • Modal verbs are used with an infinitive verb, which is usually placed at the end of the clause.
  • Due to their special function, modal verbs have irregular conjugation.

Conjugating Modal Verbs

  • Modal verbs are not conjugated like regular verbs.
  • Most of them retain the vowel of their infinitive form in their conjugation (e.g., müssen -> ich muss, du musst, er muss etc.).
  • The only exceptions are mögen and wollen, which change their stem vowel in the singular forms.
  • Unlike in English, the verb that follows a modal verb in German is in the infinitive form and usually goes at the end of the sentence.

Usage of Modal Verbs

  • Modal verbs can express necessity (müssen), ability or possibility (können), permission (dürfen) and intention or desire (wollen).
  • They are also used to express a feeling or mood like mögen (liking something), or to give advice (sollen).
  • Examples: “Ich muss das Buch lesen” (I must read the book); “Er kann Klavier spielen” (He can play the piano) .

Negation and Question Form

  • In negative sentences, modal verbs work in the same way as other verbs: negate the modal not the main verb: “Ich muss nicht gehen” (I don’t have to go).
  • In question form, the modal verb is the first element of the sentence: “Muss ich das Buch lesen?” (Do I have to read the book?).

Common Mistakes

  • Avoid omitting the infinitive verb at the end of the clause.
  • Only use one modal verb per clause to avoid confusion.
  • Remember that modal verbs have irregular conjugations so don’t apply regular verb rules to them.
  • Regularly practicing translations between German and English will help solidify your understanding of modal verbs.

Practise Modal Verbs

  • To master the use of modal verbs, try writing sentences using each one.
  • Practise using modal verbs in negative sentences and questions.
  • Translate English sentences using modal verbs into German, and vice-versa.
  • Practising helps in understanding the context and nuances of usage.