Some verbs are used to express will, obligation or capacity. The most frequent ones are pouvoir, vouloir, devoir and savoir. They all belong to the 3rd group.

The verb that follows is alway at the infinitive:

  • Je peux t'aider si tu veux. I can help you if you want.
  • Tu veux aller au ciné ce soir ? Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
  • Vous devez finir votre travail avant 17h ! You must finish your work before 5pm!

Savoir is a bit different in the sense that it originally means "to know" but as a modal it is used to express know-how.

  • Tu sais réparer les ordinateurs ? Can you fix computers ?
Last modified: Thursday, 4 October 2018, 2:53 PM