What are Modal Verbs in Present Tense?
Modal verbs in German express ability, necessity, permission, obligation, intention or possibility. The main modal verbs are: können (can/be able to), müssen (must/have to), dürfen (may/be allowed to), wollen (want to), sollen (should/ought to), and mögen (may/like). Each modal is conjugated in the present tense and paired with an infinitive verb.
Modal verbs express attitude toward an action and are always followed by an infinitive verb. In the present tense, the modal is conjugated and the infinitive goes at the end: 'Ich kann Deutsch sprechen' (I can speak German).
- •können — can, be able to, may
- •dürfen — may, be allowed to
- •mögen — may like (rare in modality)
- •müssen — must, have to
- •sollen — should, ought to, be supposed to
- •wollen — want to, will (intention)
Step-by-step worked examples
Conjugate 'können' (can) in present tense for 'I, you, he' with 'spielen' (to play).
ich kann spielen du kannst spielen er kann spielen
Form a sentence with 'müssen' (must) and 'arbeiten' (to work) for 'we': present tense.
wir müssen arbeiten (We must work)
Conjugate 'dürfen' (may) in present for 'you formal' (Sie) with 'fragen' (to ask).
Sie dürfen fragen (You may ask)
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Which modal verb means 'be able to / can'?
Q2.Correct conjugation for 'I want to study'?
Q3.Which sentence uses a modal correctly?
Q4.What does 'Sie sollen pünktlich kommen' mean?
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Common mistakes
Ich kann zu spielen (adding 'zu' before infinitive with modals) — Correct: Ich kann spielen (no 'zu' with modal verbs)
Ich wollen gehen (not conjugating the modal) — Correct: Ich will gehen (wollen conjugates to 'will' for ich)
Er möchte spielen fußball (infinitive not at the end) — Correct: Er möchte fußball spielen (infinitive at the end)
Du musst zu gehen (incorrect modal structure) — Correct: Du musst gehen (modal + bare infinitive, no 'zu')
FAQ
What are modal verbs in present tense?
Verbs that express ability (können), necessity (müssen), permission (dürfen), obligation (sollen), or intention (wollen), followed by an infinitive.
How do I conjugate 'können' in the present tense?
ich kann, du kannst, er/sie/es kann, wir können, ihr könnt, sie/Sie können
Where does the infinitive verb go in a sentence with a modal?
Always at the very end of the main clause, after objects and adverbs.
Can I use 'zu' (to) before an infinitive with modals?
No — German modal verbs are always followed by a bare infinitive without 'zu'.