Skype teachers
Free trial lesson
Flexible appointments
Dutch modal verbs
Lesson Outline
HideDefinition and usage of the Dutch modal verbs
Dutch modal verbs are used to give a certain attitude towards another verb.
For example:
- Necessity: 'moeten' (to must)
- Probability: 'zullen' (to shall/will)
- Possibility: 'kunnen' (to able to)
- Desirability: 'willen' (to want)
- Lack of obligation: 'hoeven' (to need)
- To have permission: 'mogen' (to be allowed to)
The modal verbs are always in the beginning of the sentence and the infinitive to which it belongs at the end of the sentence.
| Situation | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Necessity |
|
|
| Probability |
|
|
| Possibility |
|
|
| Desirability |
|
|
| Lack of obligation |
|
|
| To have permission |
|
|
Use of 'moeten' and 'hoeven' (duty)
Moeten' and 'hoeven' both can be both translated as 'have to' but are used differently. 'Moeten' is the only one that can be used in an affirmative sentence. With regard to interrogative and negative sentences, 'moeten' indicates an obligation (or absence of obligation) while 'hoeven' indicates a necessity (or absence of necessity).
- Jij hoeft dat boek niet te lezen. = You do not need to this book. (it is not necessary)
- Moet je niet morgen naar school gaan?= Don't you have to go to school tomorrow? (are you not obliged to?)
'Hoeven' is the only modal verb that requires the use of the infinitive with 'te' rather than the infinitive alone.
Conjugation of the Dutch modal verbs
In the table below you will find the conjugation of the Dutch modal verbs in the present tense.
| Subject | moeten | zullen | kunnen | willen | hoeven | mogen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ik (I) | moet | zal | kan | wil | hoef | mag |
| Jij, u (You) | moet | zult | kunt | wilt | hoeft | mag |
| Hij, zij, het (He, she, it) | moet | zal | kan | wil | hoeft | mag |
| Wij (We) | moeten | zullen | kunnen | willen | hoeven | mogen |
| Jullie (You) | moeten | zullen | kunnen | willen | hoeven | mogen |
| Zij (They) | moeten | zullen | kunnen | willen | hoeven | mogen |
Train your skills by doing the exercises below!
Exercises
Exercise to practice Dutch modal verbs 1
Exercise to practice Dutch modal verbs 2
Next lessons
Practise with a private teacher on Skype!
- Private Skype lessons
- Learn any topic
- Flexible appointments
I speak: German, Spanish, Dutch, English I teach: Spanish, Dutch
Hi, I'm Adriaan. I have been teaching Dutch and Spanish for seven years to students of all levels, from absolute beginners to... students who only need conversation. My students are of all ages, from 9 to 76 years old and from all continents. With each student I create a Google doc in which I put all the grammatical information, exercises and homework after each class. I can help you if you want to learn the language for fun, for work, or to prepare for an exam. Languages are my passion! See you soon! Read more
Availability: Monday (8-13h), Tuesday (8-13h), Wednesday (8-13h), Thursday (8-13h), Friday (8-13h), Saturday (8-13h).
Timezone: Europe/London (GMT+1)
See in your timezone.
25.00€ / h
Response time: less than a few hours
I speak: German, English, French, Italian, Dutch I teach: English, French, Italian, Dutch
Hello,I would love to help you improve your knowledge of English.I adapt the lessons following your wishes : are you a beginner and need to get... some basic knowledge with grammar and easy texts or do you want to improve your conversation skills. I can help you either way.Looking forward to meeting you ! Read more
Availability: Monday (9-14h), Tuesday (9-18h), Wednesday (9-18h), Thursday (9-18h), Friday (9-18h), Saturday (10-12h).
Timezone: Europe/Paris (GMT+2)
See in your timezone.
Very experienced teacher!
20.00€ / h
Response time: less than a few hours
I speak: German, English, Dutch I teach: Dutch
Hi! I live in Germany since 2014, I live in the Frankfurt am Main area. I teach German to refugees since the beginning of 2017 and I have been... teaching Dutch at several language schools, at peoples homes and in-house at several companies. I passed the C1-level Test for German at the Goethe Institut. It is my goal to adapt my lessons as much as possible to the wishes of the student. This means that, besides offering regular learning methods, I am open to initiatives like talking about subjects that are of interest to the student, for example reading and discussing articles, watching and discussing educational videos and/or current happenings in the world. I look forward to meeting you online! Read more
Availability: Monday (9-16h), Tuesday (9-20h), Wednesday (9-16h), Thursday (9-20h), Friday (9-20h).
Timezone: Europe/Paris (GMT+2)
See in your timezone.
Great choice! Students book in average more than 10 lessons!
Very experienced teacher!
Very experienced teacher!
17.00€ / h
Response time: less than a few hours
What our students say
4.7/5 from 8 reviews
My wife is from Belgium and I decided to move to there after I met her. In the beginning it was difficult because I couldn't understand anything but with the help of a native Dutch speaker I improved and now me and my wife only speak Dutch.
Kyle W. ( 37)
Online marketing expertI was so nervous for my exchange to the Netherlands because I couldn't speak any Dutch. After doing an online language course of 24 hours I was feeling way more secure about my stay in Europe.
