Modal verbs in German
Exercises
- Training of modal verbs Score -/-
- Exercise of modal verb Score -/-
Lesson Outline
HideWhat is a modal verb? - Modal auxiliaries
In German as well as in the English language, there are a group of verbs named modal verbs or modal auxiliaries. Modal verbs give more information about the main verb in a sentence. They describe the main verb in a range of possibility (may) to necessity (to have to). Therefore, the content of the sentence changes, if you are switching the modal verbs.There are six modal auxiliaries in the German language.
| modal verb | explanation | usage | example |
|---|---|---|---|
| können | to be able to, can (ability) | Fähigkeiten/ Möglichkeiten | Ich kann Auto fahren. |
| müssen | to have to, must (necessity) | Pflicht/ Notwendigkeit | Ich muss arbeiten. |
| dürfen | to be allowed to, may (permission) | Erlaubnis | Ich darf früher nach Hause. |
| sollen | to be supposed to, should (obligation) | Pflicht | Ich soll mein Zimmer aufräumen. |
| wollen | to want to (intention) | Wunsch/ Absicht | Ich will verreisen. |
| mögen | to like to (inclination), may (possibility) | Zuneigung | Ich mag das Reiten. |
Conjugation of German modal verbs (present tense)
The conjugation of modal verbs is irregular in the present tense singular, due to the fact that there are no endings in the first and third person. The plural forms are regular. Pay attention to the vowel change of modal verbs in the plural.
| können | müssen | dürfen | sollen | wollen | mögen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | kann | muss | darf | soll | will | mag |
| du | kannst | musst | darfst | sollst | willst | magst |
| er/ sie/ es | kann | muss | darf | soll | will | mag |
| wir | können | müssen | dürfen | sollen | wollen | mögen |
| ihr | könnt | müsst | dürft | sollt | wollt | mögt |
| sie/ Sie | können | müssen | dürfen | sollen | wollen | mögen |
Examples of German modal verbs
The next sentences show you the usage of modal verbs in present tense
- Mama und Papa wollen am Wochenende in den Urlaub fahren. - Mom and dad want to go to vacation on the weekend.
- Er soll sein Zimmer aufräumen. - He is supposed to clean up his room.
- Sie kann Fahrrad fahren. - She is able to drive a bicycle.
- Du darfst bis 10 Uhr wach bleiben. - You are allowed to stay up to 10 pm.
Conjugation of German modal verbs (simple past)
There is no vowel change in the simple past, but the irregularity of the first and third person singular is existing,too.
| können | müssen | dürfen | sollen | wollen | mögen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | konnte | musste | durfte | sollte | wollte | mochte |
| du | konntest | musstest | durftest | solltest | wolltest | mochtest |
| er/ sie/ es | konnte | musste | durfte | sollte | wollte | mochte |
| wir | konnten | mussten | durften | sollten | wollten | mochten |
| ihr | konntet | musstet | durftet | solltet | wolltet | mochtet |
| sie/ Sie | konnten | mussten | durften | sollten | wollten | mochten |
Examples of German modal verbs in simple past
- Mama und Papa wollten in den Urlaub fahren. - Mom and dad wanted to go to vacation.
- Er sollte sein Zimmer aufräumen. - He was supposed to clean up my room.
- Sie konnte Fahrrad fahren. - She was able to drive a bicycle.
- Du durftest bis 10 Uhr wach bleiben. - You were allowed to stay up until 10 pm.
Completing this lesson you should understand the modal verbs and their conjugation. Explore our exercises to train you skills.
Next lessons
Practise with a private teacher on Skype!
- Private Skype lessons
- Learn any topic
- Flexible appointments
German Classes for TestDaf, DaF
I teach: German
Hello, my name is Claus !For many years I teach students from all over the world as a professional teacher of the German language. With a lot of... experience and patience I lead my students to their to teach successfully and with fun. I offer you general language courses of B1- C2 with test preparations, as well as courses in Business German (prerequisites are language proficiency in German from level B1 +!). Read more
Very experienced teacher!
This teacher is one of our premium members. A premium teacher is very motivated to provide an excellent learning experience.
German lessons and learning materials included
I teach: German, English, French
My name is Christina and I provide fun German and French language lesson for children and adult beginners or intermediate who want to... strengthen their language skills, improve the grammar knowledge, enrich the vocabulary and get into the German culture! I can teach in English or French!I had experince in teaching German, English and French to foreign people so I do have a lot of useful learning material I can provide you to make it easier! Read more
This teacher is one of our premium members. A premium teacher is very motivated to provide an excellent learning experience.
Italian and German as a foreign language
I teach: German, Italian
Hi! I am Donatella, I'm Italian and I have been living in Vienna since 2009. I teach Italian and German as a foreign language. I really... like teaching and I enjoy it! Every day I have the great chance to work together with people with different ages, backgroung and learning goals. Thanks to my job I can broaden and deepen my knowledge and skills and of course meet people from all over the world.Foreign languages represent my first interest, as a learner too. After having experienced a distance learning course I find the e-learning a personal, specific and practical method to learn, improve or polish up a foreign language! I would be glad to hear from you! Read more
