German grammar › A1
Modal verbs — six essentials
Level A1 · können, müssen, wollen, sollen, dürfen, mögen — and where the second verb goes
What is a modal verb?
A modal verb does not describe the main action. It changes the meaning of another verb: possible, necessary, wanted, allowed.
Same action — different meaning
- ich kann arbeiten = I can work
- ich muss arbeiten = I must work
- ich will arbeiten = I want to work
Pattern
subject + modal + … + infinitive
What changes
only the modal changes with the person; the main verb waits at the end in the infinitive
Examples
- Ich kann heute nicht kommen. — I can’t come today.
- Darf ich hier parken? — May I park here?
Remember: Think of a bracket: the modal in position 2 … the infinitive at the very end.
Watch out: No zu after a modal: Ich muss arbeiten — not “Ich muss zu arbeiten”.
Builds on: Present tense — regular verbs.
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