{"id":119164,"date":"2018-09-18T22:20:40","date_gmt":"2018-09-19T02:20:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/french-modal-verbs\/"},"modified":"2024-09-10T05:35:04","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T09:35:04","slug":"french-modal-verbs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/french\/french-modal-verbs\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to French Modal Verbs"},"content":{"rendered":"

While they function differently than their English counterparts, French modal verbs are key components of everyday conversation. They’re essential for expressing ability, necessity, permission and desire.<\/p>\n

Understanding how to express the French equivalents of modal verbs like “can,” “must” and “should” will greatly enhance your fluency. Let’s take a look at how to use various modal verbs in French.
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What Are French Modal Verbs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Modal verbs in English are words like “can,” “must” and “should.” Unlike English, French doesn’t have a distinct set of modal verbs, but there are some key verbs such as pouvoir, vouloir <\/em><\/strong>and devoir<\/em><\/strong> that fulfill similar functions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While English modal verbs don’t change form based on the subject, these French verbs are conjugated <\/strong>when used in sentences. They’re often followed by an infinitive<\/strong> to modify the meaning of the main verb in a sentence.<\/p>\n

They’re essential tools that help express necessity, ability, desire or permission<\/strong>. Understanding how to use these verbs is key to mastering the nuances of French and communicating effectively.<\/p>\n

How to Express Modal Verbs in French<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Let’s look at each of the modal verbs in English and how we express them in French with various verbs, tenses and moods.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Can<\/h3>\n

To express “can” or “to be able to” when referring to ability or permission<\/strong>, we use the French verb pouvoir<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>For example:<\/p>\n

Je peux parler fran\u00e7ais.<\/em>
\n(I can speak French.)<\/p>\n

Pouvez-vous m\u2019aider ?<\/em>
\n(Can you help me?)<\/p>\n

Here’s the conjugation of pouvoir<\/em> in the present tense<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French <\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Je peux<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>I can <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tu peux <\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You can <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Il peut<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elle peut<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ On peut<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>He can \/ She can \/ We (informal) can <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nous pouvons<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>We can <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vous pouvez<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You can (formal\/plural)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ils peuvent<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elles peuvent<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>They can (masculine\/feminine)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

To express “can” (or “to know how to”) when referring to knowledge or the ability to do something<\/strong> based on learned skills, we use savoir<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em>\u00a0For example:<\/p>\n

Je sais nager.<\/em>
\n(I know how to swim.)<\/p>\n

Sais-tu jouer du piano ?<\/em>
\n(Do you know how to play the piano?)<\/p>\n

Savoir <\/em>is considered a modal verb in French, though it isn’t always categorized explicitly as such. It’s conjugated in the present tense as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Je sais <\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>I know<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tu sais<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You know<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Il sait<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elle sait<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ On sait<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>He knows \/ She knows \/ We (informal) know<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nous savons<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>We know<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vous savez<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You know (formal\/plural)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ils savent<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elles savent<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>They know (masc.\/fem.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Could<\/h3>\n

To express “could” in the present or future<\/strong>, we use pouvoir<\/em> in the conditional mood<\/a>. For example:<\/p>\n

Elle pourrait apprendre \u00e0 jouer du piano si elle avait plus de temps.<\/em>
\n(She could learn to play the piano if she had more time.)<\/p>\n

Je pourrais t’aider avec tes devoirs ce soir.<\/em>
\n(I could help you with your homework tonight.)<\/p>\n

Here’s how to conjugate pouvoir<\/em> in the conditional:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Je pourrais<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>I could<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tu pourrais<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You could<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Il pourrait<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elle pourrait<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ On pourrait<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>He could \/ She could \/ We (informal) could<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nous pourrions<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>We could<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vous pourriez<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You could (formal\/plural)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ils pourraient<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elles pourraient<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>They could (masc.\/fem.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

To express “could” in the past<\/strong>, we use pouvoir<\/em> in the imperfect tense<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Nous pouvions voir la mer depuis notre chambre d’h\u00f4tel.<\/em>
\n(We could see the ocean from our hotel room.)<\/p>\n

Quand j’\u00e9tais enfant, je pouvais jouer dehors toute la journ\u00e9e.<\/em>
\n(When I was a child, I could play outside all day.)<\/p>\n

Here’s how to conjugate pouvoir<\/em> in the imperfect tense:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Je pouvais<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>I could<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tu pouvais<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You could<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Il pouvait<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elle pouvait<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ On pouvait<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>He could \/ She could \/ We (informal) could<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nous \tpouvions<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>We could<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vous pouviez<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You could (formal\/plural)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ils pouvaient<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elles pouvaient<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>They could (masc.\/fem.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Would<\/strong><\/h3>\n

“Would” is expressed in French through the conditional<\/strong> form<\/strong> of the main verb<\/strong>. For example:<\/p>\n

Nous partirions en vacances si nous avions plus d’argent.<\/em>
\n(We would go on vacation if we had more money.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Je t’aiderais si je pouvais.<\/em>
\n(I would help you if I could.)<\/p>\n

“Would” is often used with “like” to make polite requests or ask about someone’s wants or needs. For this, we can use vouloir<\/em><\/strong> (to want\/wish)<\/strong> in the conditional<\/strong>. For example:<\/p>\n

Je voudrais un caf\u00e9, s’il vous pla\u00eet.<\/em>
\n(I would like a coffee, please.)<\/p>\n

Voudriez-vous m’accompagner au cin\u00e9ma ce soir ?<\/em>
\n(Would you like to accompany me to the movies tonight?)<\/p>\n

To express “would” in the past tense, we use the imperfect tense<\/strong> in French. For example:<\/p>\n

Quand j’\u00e9tais enfant, je jouais souvent dans le jardin.<\/em>
\n(When I was a child, I would often play in the garden.)<\/p>\n

Chaque \u00e9t\u00e9, nous allions \u00e0 la plage.<\/em>
\n(Every summer, we would go to the beach.)<\/p>\n

Should<\/h3>\n

To express “should” or “ought to,” we use devoir<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0in the conditional tense<\/strong>. For example:<\/p>\n

Il devrait \u00e9tudier davantage s’il veut r\u00e9ussir ses examens.<\/em>
\n(He should study more if he wants to pass his exams.)<\/p>\n

Nous devrions arriver t\u00f4t pour avoir de bonnes places.<\/em>
\n(We should arrive early to get good seats.)<\/p>\n

Here’s how to conjugate devoir<\/em> in the conditional:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Je devrais<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>I should<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tu devrais<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You should<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Il devrait<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elle devrait<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ On devrait<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>He should \/ She should \/ We (informal) should<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nous devrions<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>We should<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vous devriez<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You should (formal\/plural)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ils devraient<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elles devraient<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>They should (masc.\/fem.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

May\/Might<\/h3>\n

To express “may” or “might,” we can use pouvoir<\/em> in the conditional mood<\/strong>. This is the same structure we use to express “could” with a present or future meaning, and the interpretation depends on context.<\/p>\n

Here are a couple of examples:<\/p>\n

Nous pourrions arriver un peu en retard \u00e0 cause de la circulation.<\/em>
\n(We might arrive a little late because of the traffic.)<\/p>\n

Tu pourrais trouver ce livre int\u00e9ressant.<\/em>
\n(You might find this book interesting.)<\/p>\n

We can also use the phrase il se peut<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>followed by the subjunctive<\/a><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Il se peut qu’il vienne.<\/em>
\n(He might come.)<\/p>\n

Il se peut qu’il pleuve demain.<\/em>
\n(It may rain tomorrow.)<\/p>\n

Will\/Shall<\/strong><\/h3>\n

French doesn\u2019t have a direct equivalent to the English “will” or “shall” as modal verbs. Instead, the future tense<\/strong><\/a> is used. For example:<\/p>\n

Je parlerai avec lui demain.<\/em>
\n(I will talk to him tomorrow.)<\/p>\n

Il finira ses devoirs ce soir.<\/em>
\n(He will finish his homework this evening.)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also possible to express “will” or “shall” with the verb aller<\/strong><\/em> (to go) <\/strong>followed by the infinitive verb<\/strong>. For example:<\/p>\n

Je vais vous appeler demain.<\/em>
\n(I will call you tomorrow.)<\/p>\n

Nous allons visiter le mus\u00e9e ce week-end.<\/em>
\n(We will visit the museum this weekend.)<\/p>\n

Here’s how to conjugate aller<\/em> in the present tense:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French <\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Je vais<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>I go<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tu vas<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You go<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Il va<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elle va<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ On va<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>He goes \/ She goes \/ We (informal) go<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nous allons<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>We go<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vous allez<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You go (formal\/plural)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ils vont<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elles vont<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>They go (masc.\/fem.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Must<\/h3>\n

To express “must” or “have to” when referring to obligation or necessity<\/strong>, we can use the verb devoir<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/i>For example:<\/p>\n

Je dois faire mes devoirs.<\/em>
\n(I must do my homework.)<\/p>\n

Nous devons partir maintenant.<\/em>
\n(We have to leave now.)<\/p>\n

Here’s the conjugation of devoir<\/em> in the present tense:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French <\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Je dois <\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>I must<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tu dois<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You must<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Il doit<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elle doit<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ On doit<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>He must \/ She must \/ We (informal) must<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nous devons<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>We must<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vous devez<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You must (formal\/plural)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ils doivent<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elles doivent<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>They must (masc.\/fem.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

We can also use the phrase il faut<\/strong><\/em> (the present tense of falloir<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 to be necessary). We would translate this phrase to “must” or “it’s necessary.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

Il faut arriver \u00e0 l’heure pour le rendez-vous.<\/em>
\n(You must arrive on time for the appointment.)<\/p>\n

Il faut que les enfants respectent les r\u00e8gles de l’\u00e9cole.<\/em>
\n(The children must follow the school rules.)<\/p>\n

Vouloir <\/em>as a French Modal Verb<\/h2>\n

This is an interesting one, as the verb “to want” is not considered a modal verb in English<\/strong>. However, its equivalent in French, the verb vouloir<\/em>,\u00a0is considered a modal verb in French.<\/p>\n

“To want” isn’t classified as a modal verb in English because it behaves as a regular verb. Unlike English modal verbs, “want” requires the infinitive “to” before the following verb (“I want to go”) and changes form based on the subject (“I want,” “he wants”).\u00a0<\/p>\n

In contrast, vouloir<\/em> is considered a modal verb in French because it expresses desire or intention<\/strong> and is used in a way that modifies the meaning of the main verb. For example, in “Je veux partir”<\/em> (I want to leave), vouloir<\/em> indicates the speaker’s intention to perform the action.<\/p>\n

Here are a couple more examples:<\/p>\n

Elle veut apprendre le fran\u00e7ais. <\/em>(She wants to learn French.)<\/p>\n

Ils veulent visiter Paris cet \u00e9t\u00e9.<\/em> (They want to visit Paris this summer.)<\/p>\n

Here’s how to conjugate vouloir<\/em> in the present tense:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
French <\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Je veux<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>I want <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tu veux<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You want<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Il veut<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elle veut<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ On veut<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>He wants \/ She wants \/ We (informal) want<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nous voulons<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>We want<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vous voulez<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>You want (formal\/plural)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ils veulent<\/i> <\/a>\n \/ Elles veulent<\/i> <\/a>\n <\/td>They want (masc.\/fem.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

How to Practice French Modal Verbs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Practicing French modal verbs can greatly improve your fluency and confidence in using the language. Here are some effective strategies:<\/p>\n