Les verbes modaux expriment une obligation, une permission ou une volonté.
(Modal verbs express an obligation, a permission, or a desire.)
- The modal verb comes before a verb in the infinitive.
| Verbe (Verb) | Exemple (Example) |
|---|---|
| Vouloir (To want) | Je veux goûter ce fromage. (I want to taste this cheese.) |
| Devoir (To have to / must) | Je dois peser les fruits. (I have to weigh the fruit.) |
| Pouvoir (To be able to / can) | Je peux cuisiner avec toi ? (Can I cook with you?) |
| Falloir (To be necessary) | Il faut préparer le repas. (We need to prepare the meal.) |
Exceptions!
- The verb falloir is impersonal and is only conjugated in the third person singular.
Exercise 1: Multiple choice
Instruction: Choose the correct answer
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1. Pour cette recette, tu ___ mélanger la farine avec le sucre.
For this recipe, you ___ mix the flour with the sugar.2. Pour la soupe à l’oignon, il ___ beaucoup d’oignons et un peu d’ail.
For the onion soup, you ___ lots of onions and a little garlic.3. Je ___ utiliser ton huile d’olive pour la salade ?
Can I ___ use your olive oil for the salad?4. Vous ___ goûter mon gâteau fait maison ?
Would you ___ try my homemade cake?Exercise 2: Rewrite the phrases
Instruction: Rewrite the sentences using the modal verb indicated in parentheses (vouloir, devoir, pouvoir, falloir) while keeping the same general meaning.
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⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ExampleTu veux goûter ce nouveau plat.(You want to taste this new dish.)
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⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ExampleNous devons finir le gâteau avant 18 heures.(We must finish the cake before 6 p.m.)
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⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ExampleJe peux cuisiner avec toi ce soir ?(Can I cook with you tonight?)
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⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ExampleVous devez faire la vaisselle après le dîner.(You must do the dishes after lunch.)
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⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ExampleIl faut choisir un vin avant le repas.(We need to choose a wine before the meal.)
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⇒ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ExampleIls veulent manger quelque chose avant la réunion.(They want to eat something before the meeting.)
