Modal verbs in the past tense. Full, auxiliary and modal verbs in German Modal verb in German examples

In this step we will get acquainted with another group of verbs - modal verbs in German. We are talking about verbs that express a subjective attitude to a situation, for example I can do something, I want to do something etc. They conjugate in an unusual way. These are the verbs:

können- be able to, be able to
wissen- know
mussen- to be due
sollen- to be due
mögen- be in love
möchten– would like (derived from the verb mögen, meaning “I would like...”)
wollen- want
durfen– allow (meaning “I am allowed...”)

Modal verbs in German are conjugated as follows:

Actually, the whole feature lies in the first column. Here können is turning kann And kannst. In the second column, the verb receives endings that are already known to us; there is nothing new. In addition, the forms ich And er match up. Therefore, for the remaining modal verbs I will give only the first column:

Now let’s bring these verbs into our conversation and analyze their meanings in detail.

können- be able, be able (general meaning). By using können can be expressed:
ability : Ich kann schwimmen. - I can swim.
opportunity : Hier kann man schwimmen. - You can swim here.
permission : Du kannst heute Nacht bei uns bleiben. “You can stay with us tonight.”
polite question: Kann ich Ihnen helfen? - Can I help you?

durfen- to have permission to do something. Also durfen has the following meanings:
permission: Sie dürfen gern hereinkommen. - You can come in.
to have a right: Mit 18 Jahren darf man in Deutschland wählen. — In Germany, people over 18 years of age have the right to vote.
polite question: Darf ich Sie etwas Persönliches fragen? — Can I ask you something personal?
moral: Man darf nicht zu alten Leuten unhöflich sein. “You can’t be impolite with older people.”

What is the difference between durfen And können in polite questions? Dürfen- this is a more polite form, können– more informal.

mussen- to be due (subjective feeling or intention). By using mussen can be expressed:
call of Duty: Ich muss für die Prüfung lernen.— I have to study for the exam.
moral: Man muss alten Leuten helfen.— We need to help older people.
duty before the law : Bei einer roten Ampel muss man warten.— If the traffic light is red, you need to wait.

sollen- to be due (objective feeling, that is, someone else said that he should). This word can be expressed:
objective duty : Der Lehrer hat gesagt, ich soll nach dem Unterricht bleiben.— The teacher said that I should stay after class.
recommendation: Du bist erkältet, du sollst lieber zu Hause bleiben.- You have a cold, you better stay home.
direct order: Sie sollen aufstehen!- You must get up!
question-suggestion : Soll ich das Licht ausmachen?— Should I turn off the light? Soll ich dir helfen?- Should I help you?

mussen vs. sollen

Both words mean “to ought,” but the meaning is slightly different for both words.

Was denkst du? Soll ich heute tanzen gehen?- Do you think I should go to the dance today?
A very typical German answer:
Du kannst es gerne machen, aber du musst nicht.- You can do it (if you want), but you don’t have to (shouldn’t).

mussen– you yourself decided that you need to do this, it’s your will.
sollen– someone told you that you have to do this – it’s not your will.

wollen- want, desire, plan
Wir wollen Deutsch lernen.— We want to learn German.
Wollt ihr Deutsch lernen?— Where do you want/plan to learn German?

möchten- I would like to. A more polite form than wollen.
Möchten Sie auch etwas essen?— Verbatim: Would you also like to eat something?
Was it möchten Sie?-What would you like? (this is what the waiter asks in a restaurant)
Ich möchte nur trinken. - I would just like to have a drink.

mögen- to love, to like. This word has the following meanings:
be in love: Ich mag germn Eis.- I like ice cream. Ich mag nicht alleine zu Hause sein.— I don’t like being alone at home.
polite question "could you" :Magst du diesen Text vorlesen?— Could you read this text out loud?

wissen- know
Er weiss das.- He knows it.
Weiss du, wann der Zug abfährt?— Do you know when the train leaves?
Ich weiss es nicht.- I don't know.

Modal verbs in German: expressing the degree of probability

Verbs müssen, sollen, können, mögen They are also combined into one group because they indicate different degrees of probability or confidence in such sentences as:

Das muss so sein.- That’s how it should be (I’m 100% sure)
Das soll so sein.- That’s how it should be (80% sure, because someone else said it)
Das kann so sein.— It may be so (I’m 50-60% sure, I don’t know for sure)
Das mag so sein.— Maybe so (I’m 30-40% sure, maybe, but I really doubt it)

Exercises for the topic:

Do you have any questions about this topic? Write in the comments.

Anyone who has set themselves the goal of learning to speak German well should not forget about grammar. If you decide to learn a foreign language for the purpose of traveling to another country, it will definitely come in handy. It is grammar that helps you construct phrases and write correctly. Without it, it is impossible to correctly formulate a sentence and convey the meaning of what you want to convey to your interlocutor.

Meaning And use modal verbs

Unlike the Russian language, where sometimes there are sentences with one subject, in German the verb is an integral part of every phrase. Here, not only semantic verbs are used, which carry the main load, but also auxiliary ones, which are also called modal. These parts of speech are used to display an attitude towards an action. Examples with translation:

• Du machst die Hausaufgabe. - You are doing your homework.
• Du sollst die Hausaufgabe machen. – You must do your homework.

Here machst/ machen (to do) is a semantic verb denoting an action, and sollst/sollen (to be obligated) is a modal verb expressing an attitude towards action.

Table: how much modal verbs in German?

List The most common modal verbs in the German language can be presented in one table. Here are translations and examples of their use.

Model verb conjugation: present tense

The most convenient way to learn the conjugation of modal verbs in German is using a table. Shown here 6 options for how verbs change in Präsens, or present tense.

Modal verbs in past tense

The table shows how German verbs are conjugated in the present tense - prateritum, or past tense:

The table clearly shows that the forms of verbs in the first and third person singular are completely the same - they have a zero ending in the present tense and an -e ending in Präteritum. Verbs in the first and third person plural are the same - here the ending –en is used.

In the second person singular and plural, all modal verbs have the endings -st and –t, respectively.

Another feature that occurs in the conjugation of German modal verbs in Present is the change in the vowel in the root of the word, which is singular. The exception is the verb sollen. In the Imperfect, all modal verbs take the suffix – t.

In Perfect, the modal verb would look like this:

Ich habe die Waschmaschine reparieren müssen. — I had to fix the washing machine.

How are modal verbs used in a sentence?

Among the frequently asked questions by beginners, one can highlight the order of words in a sentence using modal verbs.

Declarative sentence will look like this:

Ich möchte dieses Buch lesen. – I would like to read this book.

Here the subject comes first, followed by the modal verb, then the secondary members, and at the end of the sentence there is a semantic verb.

If the offer interrogative, That without a word-question the modal verb will come first:

Möchtest du dieses Buch lesen? – Would you like to read this book?

With a question word, if it comes first, then a modal verb is placed after it:

Wann möchtest du dieses Buch lesen? – When would you like to read this book?

In passive sentences, modal verbs are used according to general rules.

Infinitive Passive:

operiert werden, angeklagt werden, zerstört werden.

How to perform exercises on modal verbs

Most often, modern educational systems offer tests as tasks to test knowledge. They are convenient because... quickly executed and verified. If you have successfully completed several tests on the use of modal verbs, it is recommended to try yourself in a regular exercise where you need to put the verb into the correct form. This way you will consolidate the acquired knowledge well and will feel free to write sentences with modal verbs.

Modal (mod.) verbs (verbs) have a fundamental difference from ordinary full-valued verbs, which is that they do not express any specific meaning, but only characterize the attitude towards the action taking place or the state being described, which are conveyed by semantic verbs. That's why mod. verb almost always paired with semantic ones.

The attitude expressed by modal verbs is understood as the presence of desire, obligation, duty, ability, skill, permission, permission, etc., as well as antonymous prohibitions, reluctance, etc. when using mods. verb in negative sentences.

The German language has a total of six true modal verbs:

Präsens: Conjugation mod. verb

Präteritum: Conjugation mod. verb

Use of mod. verb will be demonstrated in the speech using subsequent examples.

• Deine Verwandten müssen uns rechtzeitig über ihre Ankunft benachrichtigen. – Your relatives need to inform us about their arrival in a timely manner (they need this, it is in their interests).
• Sein Fahrer soll uns um 19:00 vom Ausstellungsgebäude abholen. – His driver must pick us up from the exhibition pavilion at 19:00 (he must, must do this, this is an order).
• Peter kann seine Geschwister selbst in den Kindergarten bringen. – Peter himself can take his sisters and brothers to kindergarten (he is able to do this).
• Die Gäste dieser Herberge dürfen die Schwimmhalle kostenlos besuchen. – Residents of this camp site can visit the pool for free (they have the right, they are allowed).
• Mein Kind will seine Katze mitnehmen. – My child wants to take his cat with him (this is his desire, wish).
• Ich mag keine Spiegeleier. – I don’t like scrambled eggs (I don’t like the taste of them, I can’t stand them; construction mod. verb + object).
• Meine Eltern möchten die Wände im Schlafzimmer tapezieren. – My parents would like to cover the bedroom walls with wallpaper (construction mod. verb. + semantic verb.).

Having considered the above examples, let us summarize all the main features of the modes. verb in in German:

• Verb. This category is never used in its own meaning independently, since it is not complete and requires specification, which is introduced into the sentence by semantic verbs, which, together with modal ones, make up compound verbal predicates, where the modal verb acquires personal endings.
• Maud. verb are subject to their own conjugation rules that must be learned. In the first and third person singular Präsens, modal verbs do not acquire personal endings. In the singular of all persons Präsens in fashion. verb there is an alternation of root vowels (the only exception is the verb sollen).
• Maud. verb do not have the quality of transitivity / intransitivity, the only exception is the verb. mögen in the meaning of loving someone, feeling sympathy for someone, loving some foods (taste). In these meanings after the verb. mögen is not followed by the infinitive of the semantic verb, but by the corresponding object.

The meaning of modal verbs. Modal are called such verbs that express not the action itself, but only attitude to action(Wed.: We we want study well. We Can study well. We must study well). Therefore, modal verbs in German are usually not used independently, i.e. without a second verb, which expresses the desired, possible or necessary action itself. This second verb always answers the question “what to do?” and stands in the infinitive, as in Russian ( Wed.: We want - what to do? - study well). Basic modal verbs in German: können(to be able), mussen(should) wollen(want). They are very common, without them it is often impossible to express a thought.

In Russian, opportunity, necessity, and desire can be expressed in two ways:

Possibility 1. We Can. = 2. Us Can.

Obligation 1. We must. = 2. Us need (must).

Desire 1. We we want. = 2. Us I want to.

In German, only the first method is used.

Wed:
They can(can) ( they can) work in the laboratory. Sie können im Labor arbeiten.

Except können, müssen, wollen modal verbs are also often used sollen And durfen.

Verb sollen close in value to mussen.

Wed.:
You want (you want) to visit the museum. Sie wollen das Museum be suchen.
Wir müssen (Wir sollen) jetzt viel arbeiten. We must (forced, we have to), we must (obliged, we should) work hard now.

Verb durfen close in value to können:

Wir können (Wir dürfen) dieses Buch in der Bibliothek bekommen. We can (=have the opportunity)
We can (=have the right, permission) to get this book from the library.

In most cases the differences in meaning between mussen And sollen(to be forced and to be obliged), between können And durfen(to have the opportunity and to have permission) are not very significant, they can be ignored and only the verbs können (to be able) and müssen (to have to) can be used in speech.

Task 1. Indicate which modal verbs should be used to say in German:

1. We need to finish work tomorrow. 2. Who should make a presentation at the seminar? 3. I want to take the exam in December. 4. Misha wants to play sports. 5. You can borrow foreign journals from the department or the library. 6. We can work in the reading room until seven o’clock in the evening.

Conjugation of modal verbs in the present

In present, all modal verbs have special singular forms (plural forms are formed according to the general rule):

As can be seen from the table, the peculiarity of their conjugation is that they do not have personal endings in the 1st and 3rd person singular. numbers (these forms are the same), and also all (except sollen) change the root vowel into singular. number (these forms need to be remembered).

Task 2. Indicate which forms of the modal verbs given in brackets should be used instead of gaps in the following sentences:

1…. er den Text ohne Wörterbuch übersetzen? (können) 2. Ich... heute meinen kranken Freund besuchen. (wollen) 3. Welches Thema... du zum Seminar vorbereiten? (sollen) 4. Mein Freund… seinen Eltern helfen. (mussen)

Word order in a sentence with a modal verb

As can be seen from the examples above, in a German sentence the modal verb takes the place of the predicate (i.e. 2nd or 1st), and the verb in the infinitive, expressing the action itself, is used (unlike the Russian language) not immediately after the modal , but at the very end of the sentence.

The negation nicht with modal verbs (unlike all others) can be used immediately after the modal verb (but can also be used before the infinitive).

Task 3. Indicate in what order the German words should be used to say:

1. Tomorrow I want to visit my school friend. besuchen; morgen; will; meinen Schulfreund; ich.
2. When do you need to write a test? die Kontrollarbeit; wann; musst; schreiben; du?
3. Can you help me with German? du; in Germany; kannst; helfen; mir?
4. She can have good grades in all subjects. gute Noten; kann; haben; sie; in Allen Fachern.
5. Today we cannot work in the reading room. wir; im Lesesaal; arbeiten; heute; nicht; können.
6. He should be at home in the evening. er; muss; zu Hause; sein; am Abend.
7. I can't read English. ich; kann, nicht; Englisch; lesen.

Man with modal verbs müssen and können

When they want to say that some action must or can be performed, without indicating who exactly, they use a combination of man with modal verbs:

necessary, necessary - man muss (man soll)
you can - man kann (man darf)

You need to read a lot. (not specified to whom) Man muss viel lesen.
He needs to read a lot. (person indicated) Er muss viel lesen.
Can I finish my work today? (not specified to whom) Kann man die Arbeit heute beenden?
Can I finish my work today? (person indicated) Kann ich die Arbeit heute beenden?

As can be seen from these examples, man and the modal verb change places so that the modal verb always ends up in the place of the predicate, that is, in 2nd or 1st place.

If they want to say that this or that action is not necessary or cannot be performed, then they add the negation nicht:

not necessary, not necessary - man muss (soll) nicht impossible - man kann (darf) nicht

For example:

You don't need to finish work today. Man muss nicht die Arbeit heute beenden.
You can't work in peace here. Hier kann man nicht ruhig arbeiten.

Task 4. Indicate which of the following sentences should be translated using the combination man muss or man kann:

1. He needs to prepare a report. 2. I can go home for three days. 3. Special literature should be read without a dictionary. 4. Can I take books home from the reading room? 5. Can I come to you in the evening?

Video on the topic “Modal verbs in German”:

Modal verbs are verbs with the meaning of desire, possibility, ability, obligation:

• wollen - want
• können - be able to, be able to
• mussen - to be due, must
• sollen - to be due, must
• durfen -
• mögen -

These verbs are conjugated in a special way:

Some verbs have a single and completely understandable meaning - cf. wollen - want, können - be able, others seem to duplicate each other - cf. mussen - to be due, must and sollen - to be due, must, and still others generally have a whole range of meanings - cf. durfen - be able, have permission, dare, mögen - want, desire; be able; love, like. Let us explain all these meanings.

Verb wollen used in ordinary expressions of will:

• Ich will schlafen. - I want to sleep.
• Willst du nach Berlin fahren? - Do you want to go to Berlin?

In addition, this verb is involved in the formation of the imperative 1st l. plural "wollen wir" - Let's(do not confuse this form with wir wollen - we want):

• Wollen wir eine Pause machen! - Let's take a break!
• Wollen wir tanzen! - Let's Dance!

The verb wollen denotes desire and will in general. And how to express a wish in a polite form, see below (verb mögen).

The phrases “I’m hungry” and “I’m thirsty” in German are not associated with a verb of will, but with indications of hunger or thirst. Wed:

• Ich habe Hunger. - I want to eat.
• Ich habe Durst. - I'm thirsty.

Verb können means opportunity, ability, ability:

• Sie können mit dem Bus fahren. - You can go by bus.
• Ich kann gut schwimmen. - I can swim well/I am a good swimmer.

With language designations, the verb können can be used without another verb:

• Ich kann Russisch und Englisch. - I speak Russian and English.
• Ich kann ein wenig Deutsch. - I speak German a little bit.

The verbs müssen and sollen have the same basic meaning - to be due, must. But the shades of meaning of these verbs are completely different. Mussen means necessity as a result of internal conviction or objective circumstances (cf. the English verb must):

• Ich muss gehen. - I have to go.
• Alle Schüler müssen Hausaufgaben machen. - All schoolchildren must do their homework.

Sollen means necessity as a consequence of some considerations, rules, etc. and expresses a recommendation (cf. the English verb should). This verb is translated into Russian by the impersonal phrase “should”:

• Sie sollen weniger essen. - You should eat less.
• Soll ich meinen Pass zeigen? - Do I need to show my passport?

It is clear that I have no internal need to show my passport, and the need in this case is related to some circumstances or considerations. Compare two examples:

• Christa muss viel arbeiten. - Krista has to work hard.
• Christa soll viel arbeiten. - Krista should work hard.

The first example means that Christe have to work hard, second - what does she care? should to work a lot. You need to pay special attention to the difference between the verbs müssen and sollen in everyday life, since sollen is used in a number of familiar situations:

• Sie sollen nach rechts gehen. - You need to go right.
• Soll ich gleich bezahlen? - Should I pay right away?
• Wo soll ich den Schlüssel lassen? - Where should I leave the key?

The same pair as the verbs müssen and sollen, only in relation to possibility, is formed by the verbs können and dürfen. Verb können means the possibility as a result of free self-determination:

• Ich kann dieses Buch kaufen. - I can buy this book.
• Sie kann Tennis spielen. - She knows how to play tennis.

Verb durfen means possibility as a result of permission, permission:

• Darf ich fragen? - Can I ask?
• Wir dürfen diese Bücher nehmen. - We can borrow these books.

In various everyday matters, dürfen is used:

• Darf ich hinaus? - May go out?
• Darf ich gehen? - Can I go?

And it is no coincidence that on the packaging of low-calorie margarine, etc. For those who like to monitor their weight it is written:

• Du darfst! - You can!

Verb mögen- perhaps the most peculiar of all modal verbs. Firstly, in the present tense it means “to love, like”, etc.:

• Ich mag Fisch. - I like fish.
• Magst du Schwarzbrot? - Do you like black bread?

Secondly, this verb is mostly used in the subjunctive mood of the past tense (preterite) and then means a wish expressed in a polite form:

• Ich möchte diese Jacke kaufen. - I would like to buy this jacket.
• Möchten Sie weiter gehen oder bleiben wir hier? - Would you like to go further, or will we stay here?

The verb mögen in the past subjunctive mood is conjugated as follows:

When expressing any wishes in everyday life, the phrase “ich möchte” actually replaced the direct expression of will “ich will”. So if you want to buy something, watch something, etc., say “ich möchte” - and you can’t go wrong! But how can we say: “to want means to be able”? Very simply: Wer will, der kann!