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Modal verbs · vouloir / pouvoir / devoir

vouloir / pouvoir / devoir + the dictionary form of the next verb (infinitive): vouloir = want to, pouvoir = can, devoir = must / have to.

Examples

  • Je veux manger.I want to eat.
  • Tu peux venir.You can come.

How it works

Three very common verbs that combine with an infinitive (the dictionary form of a verb: manger, venir) to express wanting, being able, and having to. The shape is always the same:

[modal, conjugated (changed to match the subject)] + [second verb, infinitive]

Never conjugate both verbs

Je veux manger.I want to eat.
(not "Je veux mange")
Tu peux venir.You can come.
(not "Tu peux viens")

vouloir — to want

je veuxI want
tu veuxyou want
il/elle/on veuthe / she / one wants
nous voulonswe want
vous voulezyou (formal/pl.) want
ils/elles veulentthey want
Je veux apprendre.I want to learn.

pouvoir — can, to be able to

je peux, tu peux, il peut,
nous pouvons, vous pouvez, ils peuvent
Elle peut parler français.

She can speak French.

devoir — must, to have to

je dois, tu dois, il doit,
nous devons, vous devez, ils doivent
Je dois partir.I have to leave.

Politeness

je veux sounds blunt, almost like "gimme". For requests use the conditional je voudrais:

Je voudrais un café.I'd like a coffee.
Je veux un café.I want a coffee.
(sounds commanding)

Negation wraps the modal, not the infinitive:

Je ne veux pas partir.I don't want to leave.
Tu ne peux pas venir.You can't come.

In the passé composé only the modal conjugates, with avoir: Il a voulu, Il a pu, Il a dû. The infinitive stays put.

What you'll practise

  1. 1. vouloir + inf (want to)

    veux / veux / veut / voulons / voulez / veulent + the dictionary form (infinitive): Je veux manger (I want to eat).

    • Je veux apprendre.I want to learn.

  2. 2. pouvoir + inf (can / be able to)

    peux / peux / peut / pouvons / pouvez / peuvent + the dictionary form (infinitive): Tu peux venir (you can come).

    • Elle peut parler français.She can speak French.

  3. 3. devoir + inf (must / have to)

    dois / dois / doit / devons / devez / doivent + the dictionary form (infinitive): Je dois partir (I have to leave).

    • Je dois partir.I have to leave.

  4. 4. Match the modal to the subject

    Modals are heavily irregular — picking the right form for the subject is the main hurdle.

    • Nous voulons rentrer.We want to go home.
    • Ils peuvent attendre.They can wait.

Practise it until it sticks

Short drills built on these 4 skills, with instant feedback on every answer. Free to start.

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