Dutch modal verbs
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Dutch modal verbs are used to give a certain attitude towards another verb.
For example:
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 |
|
|
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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).
'Hoeven' is the only modal verb that requires the use of the infinitive with 'te' rather than the infinitive alone.
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!
Fill in the conjugation of the correct modal verb that fits with the correct situation.
Tip:
Ik morgen naar school lopen. (necessity) (I must walk to school tomorrow.)
Jij daar misschien nog naar toe. (possibility) (You might able to go there.)
Zij daar niet na 8 uur 's avonds komen. (to have permission) (They are not allowed to come there after 20:00.)
Hij niet iedere dag te sporten. (lack of obligation) (He does not need to sport every day.)
Zij (plural) daar niet heen gaan, want het is ver weg. (probability) (They shall not go there, because it is far away.)
Hij zich er niet mee bemoeien. (desirability) (He does not want to interfere.)
Wij het project voor morgen nog voorbereiden. (necessity) (We must prepare tomorrow's project.)
Zij niet met ons mee doen. (possibility) (She is not able to join us.)
Ik nog maar 3 opdrachten te maken. (lack of obligation) (I only need to make 3 more exercises.)
Het feest vanavond bij mij gevierd worden. (to have permission) (The party can be at my place tonight.)
Fill in the conjugation of the correct modal verb that fits with the correct situation.
Tip:
Ik morgen naar school lopen. (necessity) (I must walk to school tomorrow.)
Jij daar misschien nog naar toe. (possibility) (You might able to go there.)
Zij daar niet na 8 uur 's avonds komen. (to have permission) (They are not allowed to come there after 20:00.)
Hij niet iedere dag te sporten. (lack of obligation) (He does not need to sport every day.)
Zij (plural) daar niet heen gaan, want het is ver weg. (probability) (They shall not go there, because it is far away.)
Hij zich er niet mee bemoeien. (desirability) (He does not want to interfere.)
Wij het project voor morgen nog voorbereiden. (necessity) (We must prepare tomorrow's project.)
Zij niet met ons mee doen. (possibility) (She is not able to join us.)
Ik nog maar 3 opdrachten te maken. (lack of obligation) (I only need to make 3 more exercises.)
Het feest vanavond bij mij gevierd worden. (to have permission) (The party can be at my place tonight.)
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My mother language is Dutch and I mainly teach Dutch nowadays.
However, I have a Master's degree in Spanish and I am also fluent in English.
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My students come from all over the world, all levels and ages.
I look forward to meeting you!
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Hi!
I would like to help you with Cambridge Examination preparation (KET, PET, FCE and CAE), as well as conversational English!
Please contact me for one-on-one lessons.
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She is very easy to understand because she speaks very clear and she explains very well. The working material that she makes available to me is very professional. She is a very friendly and competent teacher. I really enjoy the lessons.
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I want to help people to improve the level of their chosen language.
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wat een uitstekende leraar! In addition to being competent, Nancy is always on time and does not hesitate to exceed the class hour to complete the lesson.
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Thank you Thibaut for your kind words. It was a pleasure to be able to help you.
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1 Conjugation of moeten | Learn all the conjugations of the verb moeten. |
2 Conjugation of hoeven | Learn all the conjugations of the verb hoeven. |