Modal Verbs
Modal verbs express ability, necessity, permission, or intention. They shape meaning by marking how an action relates to possibility, requirement, or willingness.
Key Modals
Key modals include pouvoir (can), devoir (must), vouloir (want), and falloir (need/it is necessary). Each one modifies the main verb's force and meaning.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| pouvoir | to be able to / can |
| devoir | to have to / must |
| vouloir | to want to |
| falloir | to be necessary / need to |
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🌞 Je peux nager dans la mer ce matin. | I can swim in the sea this morning. |
| 💨 Je dois rentrer avant la tempête. | I must return before the storm. |
| 🏖️ Je veux passer la journée à la plage. | I want to spend the day at the beach. |
| 🌅 Je vais voir le coucher de soleil. | I am going to watch the sunset. |
| ⚠️ Il faut faire attention aux courants. | One must be careful of the currents. |
| ❓ Puis-je emprunter une serviette ? | May I borrow a towel? |
| 👍 Je devrais essayer le surf demain. | I should try surfing tomorrow. |
| 🚫 Je ne peux pas rester plus longtemps, je suis fatigué. | I cannot stay longer, I am tired. |
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Usage
Modals are normally followed by an infinitive that expresses the specific action. The modal sets the framework of possibility, obligation, or desire.
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Examples
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Je veux me lever tôt pour voir le lever du soleil. | I want to get up early to see the sunrise. |
| 🏄♂️ Je peux prendre ta planche de surf ? | Can I use your surfboard? |
| ⛱️ Nous devons trouver un endroit à l’ombre. | We must find a place in the shade. |
| 🌊 On va jeter un coup d’œil aux vagues. | We’re going to check out the waves. |
| 🧴 Il faut mettre de la crème solaire. | It’s necessary to put on sunscreen. |
| 🗺️ Je devrais regarder la carte des marées. | I should look at the tide map. |
| 🏊♀️ Je peux nager jusqu’au rocher ? | Can I swim to the rock? |
| 🌬️ Il ne peut pas y avoir de vent si fort demain. | There can’t be such strong wind tomorrow. |
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Nuances
Pouvoir can indicate permission or ability depending on context. Devoir sometimes signals a strong obligation and other times a recommendation. Vouloir can soften a request when used in polite forms.
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Related Verbs
Oser (to dare) and savoir (to know how to) sometimes function like modals by preceding an infinitive and adding meaning about courage or skill. Expressions with être obligé de reinforce necessity.
| French Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| oser | to dare to |
| savoir | to know how to |
| être obligé de | to be forced to / to have to |
| French Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🌊 L'eau commence à se calmer. | The water is starting to calm down. |
| 🔧 Ils ont réparé le filet de volley. | They fixed the volleyball net. |
| ⛵ Elle prépare le voilier pour la sortie. | She is preparing the sailboat for the trip. |
| 🧹 Nous rangeons les chaises de la plage. | We are tidying up the beach chairs. |
| 📶 Ils vérifient la météo sur leur téléphone. | They are checking the weather on their phone. |
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Summary
Modal verbs frame an action in terms of ability, necessity, permission, or intention. Learn the key modals like pouvoir, devoir, vouloir, and falloir and pay attention to subtle contextual nuances.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025