Modal auxiliaries in French — vouloir (to want), pouvoir (to be able to/can), and devoir (to have to/must) — are special verbs that change the meaning of other verbs. They help you express desires, possibilities, and obligations, making your French more precise and nuanced.
- Vouloir — shows desire or intention (e.g., “I want to eat”)
- Pouvoir — indicates ability or permission (e.g., “She can come”)
- Devoir — expresses obligation or probability (e.g., “We must study”)
These auxiliaries are used with another verb in the infinitive form. For example:
- Je veux partir. (I want to leave.)
- Tu peux sortir. (You can go out.)
- Il doit finir. (He must finish.)
Key points
- Auxiliaries are conjugated to match the subject.
- The main verb stays in the infinitive.
- Context helps determine the exact meaning (ability, permission, obligation, etc.).
Next, let’s look at how each auxiliary works in detail.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
