Modal verbs in French
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Sign up for freeModal verbs (les verbes modaux) are generally used to establish a relationship between the subject and an action described by the verb. Because of their importance in the French language, it makes sense to remember these verbs well.
They are among the verbs that end in -oir and are irregular.
Lesson outline
HideTable of the most important modal verbs in French
| Verbs | Translation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| pouvoir | can | Tu peux entrer. (you can come in.) Je peux conduire. (I can drive.) Pouvons-nous parler? (can we talk ?) |
| devoir | have to | Je dois étudier. (I have to study.) Tu dois travailler. (you have to work.) Nous devons revenir. (we have to come back.) |
| vouloir | want | Je veux conduire. (I want to drive.) Tu veux partir ? (do you want to leave ?) Ils veulent devenir riches. (they want to be rich.) |
| savoir | can, know | Sais-tu parler l'italien ? (Can you speak Italian?) Je l'ai su hier. (I knew about it yesterday.) |
You want to know how to conjugate modal verbs? Then take a look at the following pages.
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