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All 14 Flashcards — Modal verbs
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Question
das Modalverb
Answer
the modal verb — können, müssen, wollen, dürfen, sollen, mögen
Question
können
Answer
to be able to / can — «Ich kann Klavier spielen.» (ability)
Question
müssen
Answer
to have to / must — «Wir müssen lernen.» (obligation)
Question
wollen
Answer
to want to — «Sie wollen reisen.» (wish/intention)
Question
dürfen
Answer
to be allowed to / may — «Darf ich parken?» (permission)
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sollen
Answer
to be supposed to / should — «Du sollst mehr schlafen.» (advice)
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mögen / möchten
Answer
to like / would like — «Ich möchte einen Kaffee.» (polite wish)
Question
ich / er–sie–es form of a modal
Answer
Identical, with NO -t: ich kann = er kann; ich muss = er muss.
Question
Where does the infinitive go?
Answer
To the END of the clause: «Ich muss heute lernen.» (the Satzklammer).
Question
die Satzklammer
Answer
the verb bracket — modal in position 2, infinitive at the very end
Question
How does the modal-verb structure work?
Answer
Modal conjugated in position 2; the main verb stays in the infinitive and goes to the end. No «zu».
Question
Why no -t on «er muss»?
Answer
Modals are irregular in the singular: the er/sie/es form equals the ich form and takes no -t («er muss», not «er musst»).
Question
«nicht müssen» vs «nicht dürfen»?
Answer
«nicht müssen» = don't have to (no obligation); «nicht dürfen» = must not (forbidden). They are NOT the same.
Question
What is the common modal error?
Answer
Conjugating the second verb («ich will gehe») or adding «zu» — keep it an infinitive at the end with no «zu».
Read the notes
Full study notes for Modal verbs
Topic 3.1 hub
Present & core verbs
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German B exam skills
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