A2 French GrammarModal Verbs
Express ability, obligation, and desire in French using modal verbs pouvoir, devoir, vouloir, and savoir.
1Pouvoir (Can/May)
Pouvoir expresses ability or permission. It's followed by an infinitive.
Pouvoir Conjugation
| Person | Present | English |
|---|---|---|
| je | peux | I can |
| tu | peux | you can |
| il/elle | peut | he/she can |
| nous | pouvons | we can |
| vous | pouvez | you can |
| ils/elles | peuvent | they can |
Examples
Je peux vous aider.
I can help you.
ability
Tu peux partir maintenant.
You can leave now.
permission
Elle ne peut pas venir.
She can't come.
negative
Puis-je vous poser une question?
May I ask you a question?
formal: puis-je
2Devoir (Must/Have to)
Devoir expresses obligation, necessity, or probability. Also means 'to owe'.
Devoir Conjugation
| Person | Present | English |
|---|---|---|
| je | dois | I must |
| tu | dois | you must |
| il/elle | doit | he/she must |
| nous | devons | we must |
| vous | devez | you must |
| ils/elles | doivent | they must |
Examples
Je dois partir.
I have to leave.
obligation
Tu dois faire tes devoirs.
You must do your homework.
necessity
Il doit être malade.
He must be sick.
probability
Je te dois 20 euros.
I owe you 20 euros.
to owe
3Vouloir (To Want)
Vouloir expresses desire or will. Use 'je voudrais' for polite requests.
Vouloir Conjugation
| Person | Present | Conditional |
|---|---|---|
| je | veux | voudrais |
| tu | veux | voudrais |
| il/elle | veut | voudrait |
| nous | voulons | voudrions |
| vous | voulez | voudriez |
| ils/elles | veulent | voudraient |
Examples
Je veux un café.
I want a coffee.
direct
Je voudrais un croissant, s'il vous plaît.
I would like a croissant, please.
polite request
Elle veut partir demain.
She wants to leave tomorrow.
vouloir + infinitive
Voulez-vous danser?
Do you want to dance?
invitation
4Savoir vs Pouvoir
Savoir means 'know how to' (learned skill), while pouvoir means 'can' (ability/permission). Both take infinitives.
Savoir Conjugation
| Person | Present | English |
|---|---|---|
| je | sais | I know |
| tu | sais | you know |
| il/elle | sait | he/she knows |
| nous | savons | we know |
| vous | savez | you know |
| ils/elles | savent | they know |
Examples
Je sais nager.
I know how to swim.
learned skill
Je ne peux pas nager - l'eau est trop froide.
I can't swim - the water is too cold.
circumstance prevents
Elle sait parler trois langues.
She can speak three languages.
savoir for skills
Savez-vous où est la gare?
Do you know where the station is?
savoir for knowing facts