Learn the essential French modal verbs: devoir, falloir, pouvoir, and vouloir. Understand how to express obligation, permission, and desire using these verbs followed by infinitives. Master their conjugation and usage differences compared to English for effective communication at the beginner A1 level.
- The modal verb precedes a verb in the infinitive form.
| Verbe (Verb) | Exemple (Example) |
|---|---|
| Vouloir (Want) | Je veux goûter ce fromage. (I want to taste this cheese.) |
| Devoir (Must) | Je dois peser les ingrédients. (I must weigh the ingredients.) |
| Pouvoir (Can) | Je peux cuisiner avec toi ? (Can I cook with you?) |
| Falloir (To have to) | Il faut goûter avant de choisir. (You must taste before choosing.) |
Exceptions!
- The verb falloir is impersonal and is only conjugated in the third person singular.
Exercise 1: Les verbes modaux : "Devoir, Falloir, Pouvoir, Vouloir"
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
peux, pouvons, devons, doivent, dois, pouvez, veulent, faut
1.
Pouvoir :
Vous ... lire la recette.
(You can read the recipe.)
2.
Falloir :
Il ... goûter avant de servir.
(You must taste before serving.)
3.
Devoir :
Elles ... goûter le gâteau de leur grand-mère.
(They must taste their grandmother's cake.)
4.
Pouvoir:
Est-ce que je ... avoir la farine?
(Can I have the flour?)
5.
Vouloir :
Ils ... suivre la recette.
(They want to follow the recipe.)
6.
Devoir :
Je ... mélanger les œufs et la farine ensemble.
(I have to mix the eggs and the flour together.)
7.
Pouvoir :
Nous ... cuisiner ensemble.
(We can cook together.)
8.
Devoir :
Nous ... utiliser le bon ustensile.
(We must use the right utensil.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Je ___ peser la farine pour la recette.
(I ___ have to weigh the flour for the recipe.)2. Il ___ mélanger le sucre et la farine.
(You ___ must mix the sugar and the flour.)3. Nous ___ utiliser le fouet pour mélanger.
(We ___ can use the whisk to mix.)4. Tu ___ ajouter du poivre dans la recette ?
(You ___ want to add pepper to the recipe?)5. Ils ___ doser l'huile avec attention.
(They ___ must measure the oil carefully.)6. Vous ___ peser les ingrédients avant de commencer.
(You ___ must weigh the ingredients before starting.)
