Modal verbs express not the action itself, but the attitude towards the action (i.e. the possibility, necessity, desirability of performing the action), therefore they are usually used in a sentence with the infinitive of another verb expressing the action.
Modal verbs include the following verbs:
können dürfen müssen sollen mögen wollen
The conjugated modal verb stands In second place in a sentence, and the infinitive of the semantic verb is last in a sentence and is used without the particle zu.
können- be able, be able, be able (possibility due to objective circumstances)
durfen- 1) be able - dare, have permission (possibility based on “someone else’s will”) 2) when denied, expresses prohibition - “impossible”, “not allowed”
mussen- 1) obligation, necessity, need, conscious duty 2) when negated, “müssen” is often replaced by the verb “brauchen + zu Infinitiv)
sollen- 1) obligation based on “someone else’s will” - order, instruction, instruction 2) in a question (direct or indirect) is not translated (expresses “request for instructions, instructions”)
wollen- 1) want, intend, gather 2) invitation to joint action
mögen- 1) “would like” - in the form möchte (politely expressed desire in the present tense) 2) love, like - in its own meaning (when used without an accompanying infinitive)
The meaning of modal verbs in German
durfen
a) have permission or right
In diesem Park durfen Kinder spielen. - In this park for children allowed play.
b) prohibit (always in negative form)
Bei Rot darf man die Straße nothingüberqueren. - Street it is forbidden cross against the lights
können
a) have the opportunity
In einem Jahr können wir das Haus bestimmt teurer verkaufen. - In a year we will definitely we can sell the house for more money.
b) have the ability to do something
Er kann gut Tennis spielen. - He can play tennis well.
mögen
a) to have/not have an inclination, disposition towards something.
Ich mag mit dem neuen Kollegen nicht zusammenarbeiten. - I don't like work with someone new.
b) the same meaning, but the verb acts as a full-valued one
Ich mag keine Schlagsahne! - I don't I love whipped cream!
The modal verb mögen is most often used in the subjunctive form (conjunctive) möchte - would like. The personal endings for this form are the same as for other modal verbs in the present:
ich möchte, du möchtest, etc.
c) have a desire
Wir möchten ihn gern kennen lernen. - We would you like to meet him.
Ich möchte Deutsch sprechen.— I I would like to speak German.
Du möchtest Arzt werden. - You I would like to To become a doctor.
Er möchte auch commen. - He too I would like to come.
mussen
a) be forced to perform an action under the pressure of external circumstances
Mein Vater ist krank, ich muss nach Hause fahren. - My father is sick, I must to drive home.
b) to be forced to perform an action out of necessity
Nach dem Unfall mussten wir zu Fuß nach Hause gehen. - After the accident we must were walk home.
c) accept the inevitability of what happened
Das must ja so kommen, wir haben es geahnt. - This should have happen, we saw it coming.
d) Instead of müssen with negation there is = nicht brauchen + zu + Infinitiv
Mein Vater ist wieder gesund, ich brauche nicht nach Hause zu fahren. - My father is healthy again, I don’t need to to drive home.
sollen
a) require action to be performed in accordance with commandments, laws
Du sollst nicht toten. - You do not must kill.
b) demand the performance of an action in accordance with duty, morality
Jeder soll die Lebensart des anderen anerkennen. - Every must respect the other's way of life.
c) emphasize that the action is performed on someone’s order or instruction
Ich soll nüchtern zur Untersuchung kommen. Das hat der Arzt gesagt. - I must come on an empty stomach for the study. That's what the doctor said.
wollen
a) express a strong desire
Ich will dir die Wahrheit sagen. - I Want tell you the truth.
b) communicate your intention to do something, plans for the future
I'm December wollen wir in das neue Haus einziehen. - In December we we want move into a new house.
In some cases, the main verb may be omitted:
Ich muss nach Hause (gehen). Sie kann gut Englisch (sprechen). Er will in die Stadt (fahren). Ich mag keine Schlagsahne (essen).
A modal verb can be used without a main verb if the main verb is mentioned in the previous context:
Ich kann nicht gut kochen. Meine Mutter konnte es auch nicht. Wir haben es beide nicht gut gekonnt.
Conjugation of modal verbs
Conjugation tables for modal verbs need to be memorized.
Conjugation table for modal verbs in the present tense
Pronoun man in combination with modal verbs it is translated by impersonal constructions:
man kann - you can
man kann nicht - impossible, impossible
man darf - possible, allowed
man darf nicht - impossible, not allowed
man muss - necessary, necessary
man muss nicht - not necessary, not necessary
man soll - should, must
man soll nicht - should not
Conjugation table for modal verbs in the past tense Präteritum
Modal verbs in the past tense are most often used in Präteritum. In other past tenses, modal verbs are practically not used.
Place of a modal verb in a simple sentence
1. The modal verb is in a simple sentence In second place.
The second place in the sentence is occupied by the conjugated part of the predicate - the auxiliary verb haben. The modal verb is used in the infinitive and follows the full verb, occupying the last place in the sentence.
Präsens: Der Arbeiter will den Meister sprechen .
Präteritum: Der Arbeiter Wollte den Meister sprechen .
Perfect: Der Arbeiter hat den Meister sprechen wollen .
Plusquamperfect: Der Arbeiter hatte den Meister sprechen wollen .
Place of a modal verb in a subordinate clause
1. Modal verb in the form of present or imperfect stands in a subordinate clause last.
2. If a modal verb is used in perfect or plusquaperfect form, then it is also worth in the infinitive form in last place. The conjugated part of the predicate - the auxiliary verb - comes before both infinitives.
Präsens besuchen kann .
Präteritum: Es ist schade, dass er uns nicht be suchen konnte.
Perfect: Es ist schade, dass er uns nicht hat besuchen können.
Plusquamperfect: Es ist schade, dass er uns nicht hatte besuchen können.
1.RULE NUMBER ONE:
In the past tense PERFEKT modal verbs are always used with HABEN! That is, HABEN+ PARTIZIP2
The "movement" rule for sein/haben DOES NOT APPLY HERE!
2. RULE number TWO:
Remember the partials gedurft, gekonnt, gemocht, gemusst, gewollt-only for passive memory. In living language, modal verbs in the past tense are used in the imperfect.
We take participles into passive memory (only in order to understand what was said and read), and we take the Imperfect into the active dictionary. And we use it with all our might.
Remember that knowledge of modal verbs always helps if we are not sure HOW the main verb is declined.
Look at the table: modal verbs in the present tense, Present and in the past tenses. We learn what is marked in light.
Note! 1st and 3rd person are written the same...
| mussen | können | durfen | sollen | wollen | mögen* | möchten** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Präsens present time |
|||||||
| ich | muss | kann | darf | soll | will | mag | möchte |
| du | must | kannst | darfst | sollst | willst | magst | möchtest |
| er | muss | kann | darf | soll | will | mag | möchte |
| wir | mussen | können | durfen | sollen | wollen | mögen | möchten |
| ihr | müsst | könnt | durft | sollt | wollt | mögt | möchtet |
| sie | mussen | können | durfen | sollen | wollen | mögen | möchten |
Präteritum past |
|||||||
| ich | must | konnte | durfte | sollte | Wollte | mochte | Wollte |
| du | musttest | konntest | durftest | solltest | Wolltest | mochtest | Wolltest |
| er | must | konnte | durfte | sollte | Wollte | mochte | Wollte |
| wir | mussten | konnten | durften | sollten | wollten | mochten | wollten |
| ihr | musstet | konntet | durftet | solltet | wolltet | mochtet | wolltet |
| sie | mussten | konnten | durften | sollten | wollten | mochten | wollten |
haben+ Partizip II |
|||||||
| gemusst | gedurft | gedurft | Gesollt | gewollt | gemocht | gewollt | |
Compare:
- 1-Ich war in der Türkei. (Präteritum) – I was in Turkey.
- = Ich bin in der Türkei gewesen. (Perfect)
- 2-Ich hatte einen Hund. (Präteritum) – I had a dog.
- = Ich habe einen Hund gehabt. (Perfect)
- 3-Ich musste ihr helfen. (Präteritum) – I had to help her.
- = Ich habe ihr helfen müssen. (Perfect)
- 4-Ich wusste das. (Präteritum) - I knew it.
- Ich habe das gewusst. (Perfect)
NEW: learning a new expression:
Als ich 18(5_ 10, 25...) Jahre alt war, ich... when I was 18 years old, I....
Als ich Kind war, meine Eltern... when I was a child, my parents
Als ich Junge war...... when I was a young man...
EXERCISE 1:
Using past tense expressions such as: Als ich 18(5_ 10, 25...) Jahre alt war, im Sommer; gestern, etc... put the sentences in the Imperfect, for example:
1-ich muss jetzt viel lesen.(present tense)Als ich 16 Jahre alt war, ich musste viel lesen (imperfect)
2-Ich soll täglich 10 Stunden arbeiten.
3-Hast du eine Wohnung in Spanien?
4-Ich mag Eis.
5.ich bin in Madrid.
6-ich will ein Buch kaufen.
7-ich habe schone Bild
8.meine Mutter kann jetzt viel schlafen
9.hier man kann nicht parken.
10.Zum Fest ich muss viel kaufen.
11. Maria kann nicht eine Pause machen.
TASK 2:
Write a short story in the Imperfect:
When I was 5 years old, I didn't have to do anything. I loved to play, eat strawberry jam and ski. but I could not (in the sense of forbidden) watch TV.
I could swim and draw well. I always had a beautiful picture for a gift (ein Geschenk) -
I have been to Spain twice with my mother. we wanted to see the Dali Museum. But I really wanted to watch football in Barcelona. But I couldn't because my dad forbade it.
I really loved football. And I said that I must see Barcelona.
Now I can do it. And this summer I'm going to Barcelona.
Anyone who has set a goal to learn to speak German well should not forget about grammar. If you decide to learn a foreign language for the purpose of traveling to another country, it will definitely come in handy. It is grammar that helps you construct phrases and write correctly. Without it, it is impossible to correctly formulate a sentence and convey the meaning of what you want to convey to your interlocutor.
Meaning And use modal verbs
Unlike the Russian language, where sometimes there are sentences with one subject, in German the verb is an integral part of every phrase. Here, not only semantic verbs are used, which carry the main load, but also auxiliary ones, which are also called modal. These parts of speech are used to display an attitude towards an action. Examples with translation:
- Du machst die Hausaufgabe. - You are doing your homework.
- Du sollst die Hausaufgabe machen. – You must do your homework.
Here machst/ machen (to do) is a semantic verb denoting an action, and sollst/sollen (to be obliged) is a modal verb expressing an attitude towards action.
Table: how much modal verbs in German?
List The most common modal verbs in the German language can be presented in one table. Here are translations and examples of their use.
| Modal | Translation | Examples (sentences with modal verbs in German, translation) |
| wollen | want | Wollen wir tanzen? Let's Dance! |
| mussen | to be forced (one's own will) | Muss er wirklich nach Hause gehen? Does he really need to go home? |
| sollen | to be obliged (someone else's will) | Die Ärztin sagt, du sollst weniger rauchen. The doctor said that you should smoke less. |
| können | be able to to have a possibility |
Kannst du mir helfen? Can you help me? |
| durfen | be able to have permission |
Darf ich mich vorstellen? Let me introduce myself. |
| mögen | be in love, like, be possible |
Ich mag Eis. - I like ice cream. Er mag krank sein. - He may be sick. Ich möchte mich vorstellen. – I would like to introduce myself. |
Model verb conjugation: present tense
The most convenient way to learn the conjugation of modal verbs in German is using a table. Shown here 6 options for how verbs change in Präsens, or present tense.
| können | durfen | wollen | mögen | mussen | sollen | |
| ich | k a nn | d a rf | w i ll | m a g | m u ss | soll |
| du | k a nn st | d a rf st | w i ll st | m a g st | m u ss t | soll st |
| er, sie, es | k a nn | d a rf | w i ll | m a g | m u ss | soll |
| wir | können | durfen | wollen | mögen | mussen | sollen |
| ihr | könn t | durf t | wol t | mög t | müss t | soll t |
| sie, sie | können | durfen | wollen | mögen | mussen | sollen |
Modal verbs in past tense
The table shows how German verbs are conjugated in the present tense - prateritum, or past tense:
| können | durfen | wollen | mögen | mussen | sollen | |
| ich | konnte | durfte | Wollte | mochte | must | sollte |
| du | konntest | durftest | Wolltest | mochtest | musttest | solltest |
| er, sie, es | konnte | durfte | Wollte | mochte | must | sollte |
| wir | konnten | durften | wollten | mochten | mussten | sollten |
| ihr | konntet | durftet | wolltet | mochtet | musstet | solltet |
| sie, sie | konnten | durften | wollten | mochten | mussten | sollten |
The table clearly shows that the forms of verbs in the first and third person singular are completely the same - they have a zero ending in the present tense and an -e ending in Präteritum. Verbs in the first and third person plural are the same - here the ending –en is used.
In the second person singular and plural, all modal verbs have the endings -st and –t, respectively.
Another feature that occurs in the conjugation of German modal verbs in Present is the change in the vowel in the root of the word, which is singular. The exception is the verb sollen. In the Imperfect, all modal verbs take the suffix – t.
In Perfect, the modal verb would look like this:
Ich habe die Waschmaschine reparieren müssen. — I had to fix the washing machine.
How are modal verbs used in a sentence?
Among the frequently asked questions by beginners, one can highlight the order of words in a sentence using modal verbs.
Declarative sentence will look like this:
Ich möchte dieses Buch lesen. – I would like to read this book.
Here the subject comes first, followed by the modal verb, then the secondary members, and at the end of the sentence there is a semantic verb.
If the offer interrogative, That without a word-question the modal verb will come first:
Möchtest du dieses Buch lesen? – Would you like to read this book?
With a question word, if it comes first, then a modal verb is placed after it:
Wann möchtest du dieses Buch lesen? – When would you like to read this book?
In passive sentences, modal verbs are used according to general rules.
Infinitive Passive:
operiert werden, angeklagt werden, zerstört werden.
How to perform exercises on modal verbs
Most often, modern educational systems offer tests as tasks to test knowledge. They are convenient because... quickly executed and verified. If you have successfully completed several tests on the use of modal verbs, it is recommended to try yourself in a regular exercise where you need to put the verb into the correct form. This way you will consolidate the acquired knowledge well and will feel free to write sentences with modal verbs.
Modal verbs - these are verbs that express not an action, but the speaker’s attitude to the action. Modal verbs can express possibility, necessity, desire, etc.
Modal verbs require after themselves a main verb, which is in the infinitive without a particlezu.
K m Odal verbs in German include the following verbs:
durfen(to be allowed, to be able to have the right)
Darf ich eintreten? - Can I come in?
Hier darf man nicht rauchen. - You can't smoke here.
können(to be able, to be able, to have the physical ability to do something)
Wir können diese Arbeit in einer Woche erfüllen. - We can complete this job in a week.
mögen(like)
Ich magTorte essen. - I like to eat cake.
The verb mögen can also express a wish, advice, recommendation and is often translated in this case with the word “let”:
Möge er glücklich sein! — Let him be happy!
mussen(expresses necessity due to internal conviction, duty)
Ich muss meinen Freunden helfen. - I have to help my friends.
Er musste die Arbeit von neuem beginnen. - He had (he was forced) to start the work again.
sollen(expresses necessity, obligation, obligation associated with someone’s instructions, the order established by someone, etc.)
Du sollst die Prüfung am 5. Januar ablegen. - You must take this exam on January 5th.
Der Zug soll in 3 Minutes ankommen. - The train should arrive in 3 minutes.
wollen(want, wish, often with a connotation of “intend to do something”)
Wir wollen diese Ausstellung besuchen. - We want to visit this exhibition.
The verb wollen can also be used to express the future tense, in which case it is not translated into Russian.
lassen(command, instruct, force, command)
Er ließ uns diese Regel gründlich wiederholen. - He ordered us (forced us) to repeat this rule thoroughly.
Bei gutem Wetter ließ er mich selbst das Auto fahren. - If the weather was good, he allowed me to drive the car myself.
The verb lassen in the imperative mood can also express an invitation, a call:
Lasst uns heute einen Ausflug machen! - Let's take a walk today!
The construction is quite often used lassen sich+ infinitive I. It usually has a passive meaning with a connotation of possibility and is translated into Russian by combining “mozhno” with the infinitive of the main verb or a verb in -sya (with a passive meaning):
Die Bedeutung dieser Experimente lässt sich leicht erklären. - The meaning of these experiments can be easily explained (... easily explained; easily explained...).
Turnover es lässt sich with negation is used in the sense of impracticability, the impossibility of one or another action and is translated by combining “impossible” with the infinitive of the main verb:
Es lässt sich nicht beweisen. - This cannot be proven.
Verb lassen when used independently it means “to leave”, “to leave”:
Wir lassen ihn nicht allein. - We don't leave him alone.
Modal verbs in German are usually used in combination with the infinitive of other verbs that denote action and perform the function of a complex predicate in a sentence:
Wir wollen noch eine Fremdsprache beherrschen. - We want to master another foreign language.
Verbs brauchen(need), scheinen(seem), glauben(to believe) when used with the infinitive of another (main) verb acquire the meaning of modality. The verb brauchen with the negation nicht means “one should not, does not need, does not need to do anything”:
Er braucht diese Regel nicht zu wiederholen. - He does not need (should not) repeat this rule.
Verbs scheinen And glauben express an assumption; when translating them into Russian, the words “apparently, it seems (as it seems, as it seems)” are used:
Sie scheint glücklich zu sein. - She seems (apparently) to be happy.
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Modal (mod.) verbs (verbs) have a fundamental difference from ordinary full-valued verbs, which is that they do not express any specific meaning, but only characterize the attitude towards the action taking place or the state being described, which are conveyed by semantic verbs. That's why mod. verb almost always paired with semantic ones.
The attitude expressed by modal verbs is understood as the presence of desire, obligation, duty, ability, skill, permission, permission, etc., as well as antonymous prohibitions, reluctance, etc. when using mods. verb in negative sentences.
The German language has a total of six true modal verbs:
| № | Maud. verb | Transferred attitude | basic forms (2 and 3) |
| an internal sense of duty, a conscious obligation to do something (I need) | musste - gemusst | ||
| externally imposed obligation, duty to do something (I must, forced) | sollte – gesollt | ||
| wish, desire, desire | wollte – gewollt | ||
| having the right, permission, or permission to do something | durfte - gedurft | ||
| having the ability, ability, or physical ability to do something | konnte – gekonnt | ||
| presence of love or desire | mochte - gemocht |
Präsens: Conjugation mod. verb
Face, units | durfen | wollen | können | mögen | sollen | mussen |
| darf | will | kann | mag | soll | muss | |
| darfst | willst | kannst | magst | sollst | must | |
| darf | will | kann | mag | soll | muss | |
Person, plural | ||||||
| durfen | wollen | können | mögen | sollen | mussen | |
| durft | wollt | könnt | mögt | sollt | müsst | |
| durfen | wollen | können | mögen | sollen | mussen |
Präteritum: Conjugation mod. verb
Face, units | durfen | wollen | mögen | sollen | können | mussen |
| durfte | Wollte | mochte | sollte | konnte | must | |
| durftest | Wolltest | mochtest | solltest | konntest | musttest | |
| durfte | Wollte | mochte | sollte | konnte | must | |
Person, plural | ||||||
| durften | wollten | mochten | sollten | konnten | mussten | |
| durftet | wolltet | mochtet | solltet | konntet | musstet | |
| durften | wollten | mochten | sollten | konnten | mussten |
Use of mod. verb will be demonstrated in the speech using subsequent examples.
- Deine Verwandten müssen uns rechtzeitig über ihre Ankunft benachrichtigen. – Your relatives need to inform us about their arrival in a timely manner (they need this, it is in their interests).
- Sein Fahrer soll uns um 19:00 vom Ausstellungsgebäude abholen. – His driver must pick us up from the exhibition pavilion at 19:00 (he must, must do this, this is an order).
- Peter kann seine Geschwister selbst in den Kindergarten bringen. – Peter himself can take his sisters and brothers to kindergarten (he is able to do this).
- Die Gäste dieser Herberge dürfen die Schwimmhalle kostenlos besuchen. – Residents of this camp site can visit the pool for free (they have the right, they are allowed).
- Mein Kind will seine Katze mitnehmen. – My child wants to take his cat with him (this is his desire, wish).
- Ich mag keine Spiegeleier. – I don’t like scrambled eggs (I don’t like the taste of them, I can’t stand them; construction mod. verb + object).
- Meine Eltern möchten die Wände im Schlafzimmer tapezieren. – My parents would like to cover the bedroom walls with wallpaper (construction mod. verb. + semantic verb.).
Having considered the above examples, let us summarize all the main features of the modes. verb in in German:
- Verb. This category is never used in its own meaning independently, since it is not complete and requires specification, which is introduced into the sentence by semantic verbs, which, together with modal ones, make up compound verbal predicates, where the modal verb acquires personal endings.
- Maud. verb are subject to their own conjugation rules that must be learned. In the first and third person singular Präsens, modal verbs do not acquire personal endings. In the singular of all persons Präsens in fashion. verb there is an alternation of root vowels (the only exception is the verb sollen).
- Maud. verb do not have the quality of transitivity / intransitivity, the only exception is the verb. mögen in the meaning of loving someone, feeling sympathy for someone, loving some foods (taste). In these meanings after the verb. mögen is not followed by the infinitive of the semantic verb, but by the corresponding object.
