French grammar
Modal verbs in French
| Page index: | Vouloir | Pouvoir |
Devoir |
Preamble:
Defining modal verbs: A modal verb is a verb that qualifies an action with regard to its desirability, its necessity, its possibility or its futurity.
While this is a clear and concise definition, it is an unsatisfactory definition which does not even fully account for all modal verbs in English. As far as French linguistics are concerned, it is often said that French does not have modal verbs.
Whether or not this is the case is a matter of opinion, not fact, and will always be a good subject for academic argument among linguists; in recent years, and by assimilation with English and other languages, the expression "verbes modaux" is increasingly used.
Comparing modal verbs in English and French
French has less modal verbs than English.
While English has will, shall, may, might, must, ought to, have to, can and be able to,
French just has three modal verbs: vouloir, pouvoir, devoir
to which can be added certain uses of savoir.
However these verbs have tenses which can modify their modality.
French does not use modal verbs to denote futurity, as this is done by means of the future tense and other mechanisms.
Defining modal verbs: A modal verb is a verb that qualifies an action with regard to its desirability, its necessity, its possibility or its futurity.
While this is a clear and concise definition, it is an unsatisfactory definition which does not even fully account for all modal verbs in English. As far as French linguistics are concerned, it is often said that French does not have modal verbs.
Whether or not this is the case is a matter of opinion, not fact, and will always be a good subject for academic argument among linguists; in recent years, and by assimilation with English and other languages, the expression "verbes modaux" is increasingly used.
Comparing modal verbs in English and French
French has less modal verbs than English.
While English has will, shall, may, might, must, ought to, have to, can and be able to,
French just has three modal verbs: vouloir, pouvoir, devoir
to which can be added certain uses of savoir.
However these verbs have tenses which can modify their modality.
French does not use modal verbs to denote futurity, as this is done by means of the future tense and other mechanisms.
1. Vouloir
Vouloir is a verb expressing wish, desire or intention.Here are its main usages:
► In the present tense it implies a definite wish (Examples 1 & 2)
► In the present perfect it can imply an unfulfilled/ wrongly fulfilled wish,(Examples 3 & 4) or a fulfilled wish (Example 5)
► In the conditional it implies a hope or a potential wish. (Examples 6 - 8)
Click here For a full verb table of vouloir
Present tense:
Singular: Je veux, tu veux, il/elle... veut
Plural: Nous voulons, vous voulez, ils veulent
Examples:
1. Je veux partir maintenant.
I want to leave now
2. Le capitaine veut savoir s'il y a un médecin à bord
The captain wants to know if there's a doctor on board.
3. J'ai voulu ouvrir la boîte, mais je l'ai cassée.
I wanted to open the box, but I broke it .
4. Il semble qu'il a voulu sortir par la cheminée.
It looks as if he wanted to (was trying to) get out through the chimney.
5. J'ai voulu te faire une surprise !!.
I wanted it to be a surprise for you !!.
6. Nous voudrions partir avant minuit.
We'd like to leave before midnight. 7. Il voudrait savoir qui vous êtes.
He'd like to know who you are.
8. Je pensais que vous voudriez aller au concert ce soir
I thought you'd want to go to the concert this evening.
1. Je veux partir maintenant.
I want to leave now
2. Le capitaine veut savoir s'il y a un médecin à bord
The captain wants to know if there's a doctor on board.
3. J'ai voulu ouvrir la boîte, mais je l'ai cassée.
I wanted to open the box, but I broke it .
4. Il semble qu'il a voulu sortir par la cheminée.
It looks as if he wanted to (was trying to) get out through the chimney.
5. J'ai voulu te faire une surprise !!.
I wanted it to be a surprise for you !!.
6. Nous voudrions partir avant minuit.
We'd like to leave before midnight. 7. Il voudrait savoir qui vous êtes.
He'd like to know who you are.
8. Je pensais que vous voudriez aller au concert ce soir
I thought you'd want to go to the concert this evening.
Other tenses: Future: je voudrai – Simple past: je voulus – Passé composé: j'ai voulu
Imperfect: je voulais – conditional: je voudrais – present subjunctive: je veule
2. Pouvoir
Pouvoir
expresses ability, corresponding to the English can or be able to.
Here are its most common usages.
► In the present tense it implies a definite or potential ability (Examples 1 & 2)
► In the present perfect it normally implies a successfully accomplished action, and has the sense of the English "managed to" (Examples 3 & 4)
► In the imperfect it usually implies past ability (Examples 5 & 6)
!! Take care with the distinction in usage between the perfect and imperfect tenses of pouvoir
► In the conditional it implies potential future possibility. (Examples 7 & 8)
► In the future perfect, it expresses past action that may have occurred or has probably occurred (Examples 9 & 10)
► In the past conditional, it expresses unfulfilled hypothetical possibility (Examples 11 & 12)
Reflexive use of pouvoir :
► The English modal verb may is often expressed using the French expression
Il se peut que ..... followed by a subjunctive. (Examples 13 & 14)
Present tense:
Singular: Je peux or je puis, tu peux, il/elle... peut
Plural: Nous pouvons, vous pouvez, ils peuvent
Click here For a full verb table of pouvoir
Sometimes French uses savoir instead of pouvoir to express acquired ability
Other tenses: Future: je pourrai – Simple past: je pus – Passé composé: j'ai pu
Imperfect: je pouvais – conditional: je pourrais – present subjunctive: je puisse.
Here are its most common usages.
► In the present tense it implies a definite or potential ability (Examples 1 & 2)
► In the present perfect it normally implies a successfully accomplished action, and has the sense of the English "managed to" (Examples 3 & 4)
► In the imperfect it usually implies past ability (Examples 5 & 6)
!! Take care with the distinction in usage between the perfect and imperfect tenses of pouvoir
► In the conditional it implies potential future possibility. (Examples 7 & 8)
► In the future perfect, it expresses past action that may have occurred or has probably occurred (Examples 9 & 10)
► In the past conditional, it expresses unfulfilled hypothetical possibility (Examples 11 & 12)
Reflexive use of pouvoir :
► The English modal verb may is often expressed using the French expression
Il se peut que ..... followed by a subjunctive. (Examples 13 & 14)
Present tense:
Singular: Je peux or je puis, tu peux, il/elle... peut
Plural: Nous pouvons, vous pouvez, ils peuvent
Click here For a full verb table of pouvoir
Examples:
1. Tu ne peux pas fumer ici.
You can't smoke here
Nous pouvons aller au concert ce soir.
We can go to the concert this evening.
3. J'ai pu (=success) ouvrir la boîte, mais je l'ai cassée.
I was able to open the box , but I broke it .
4. Il semble qu'il a pu sortir par la cheminée.
It looks as if he was able to get out through the chimney.
5. Dans ma jeunesse je pouvais (= ability) porter 50 kg. !!.
In my youth I could carry 50 kilograms !!.
6. Les policiers ne pouvaient pas faire comme ils voulaient
The policement were not able to do as they pleased.
7. Il pourrait parler anglais s'il faisait un effort.
He could speak English if he tried.
8. Nous pourrions aller au concert ce soir
We could to go to the concert this evening.
9. Il aura pu se mettre à l'abri quelque part.
He may have found shelter somewhere.
10. Il aura pu se mettre à l'abri quelque part. (second meaning)
He will have been able to find shelter somewhere.
11. Il aurait pu être bloqué par la grève à l'aeroport.
H could have been blocked by the strike at the airport.
12. Vous auriez pu vous tuer !!
You could have killed yourselves !!
13. Il se peut qu'ils soient bloqués par la grève à l'aeroport.
They may be blocked by the strike at the airport.
14. Il se peut qu'on aille au concert ce soir.
We may go to the concert this evening.
1. Tu ne peux pas fumer ici.
You can't smoke here
Nous pouvons aller au concert ce soir.
We can go to the concert this evening.
3. J'ai pu (=success) ouvrir la boîte, mais je l'ai cassée.
I was able to open the box , but I broke it .
4. Il semble qu'il a pu sortir par la cheminée.
It looks as if he was able to get out through the chimney.
5. Dans ma jeunesse je pouvais (= ability) porter 50 kg. !!.
In my youth I could carry 50 kilograms !!.
6. Les policiers ne pouvaient pas faire comme ils voulaient
The policement were not able to do as they pleased.
7. Il pourrait parler anglais s'il faisait un effort.
He could speak English if he tried.
8. Nous pourrions aller au concert ce soir
We could to go to the concert this evening.
9. Il aura pu se mettre à l'abri quelque part.
He may have found shelter somewhere.
10. Il aura pu se mettre à l'abri quelque part. (second meaning)
He will have been able to find shelter somewhere.
11. Il aurait pu être bloqué par la grève à l'aeroport.
H could have been blocked by the strike at the airport.
12. Vous auriez pu vous tuer !!
You could have killed yourselves !!
13. Il se peut qu'ils soient bloqués par la grève à l'aeroport.
They may be blocked by the strike at the airport.
14. Il se peut qu'on aille au concert ce soir.
We may go to the concert this evening.
Sometimes French uses savoir instead of pouvoir to express acquired ability
Example:
1. Mon frère sait parler quatre langues.
My brother can speak four languages
1. Mon frère sait parler quatre langues.
My brother can speak four languages
Other tenses: Future: je pourrai – Simple past: je pus – Passé composé: j'ai pu
Imperfect: je pouvais – conditional: je pourrais – present subjunctive: je puisse.
3. Devoir
Click here For a full verb table of devoirDevoir
expresses obligation, corresponding to the English must, have to, should or
ought to. The specific
meaning is specified by a combination of tense and context.
► In the present tense, devoir corresponds to the English must / have to in most of their meanings; both formal obligation (e.g. You must stop that) and probablilty (It must be ten midnight by now). See examples 1 & 2 below
The most confusing points about uses of devoir concern past tenses.
► The perfect or composite past of devoir ( e.g. il a dû) has two quite different meanings, corresponding either to had to or to must have. See examples 3 & 4 below. Logic and context will usually remove any possible ambiguity; for instance, it is very unlikely that Hier j'ai dû acheter un parapluie would mean Yesterday I must have bought an umbrella - unless the speaker suffers from amnesia.
► The imperfect tense of devoir (e.g. il devait) has three possible meanings; it can be used in the sense of had to, or less commonly in the sense of must have. Occasionally it used as a shorter alternative to the past conditional in the sense of ought to have See examples 5 & 6 below
► Used in conditional tenses, devoir implies recommendation or partial obligation, and has the meaning of should / ought to. See examples 7 & 8 below.
►Spelling point: the past participle masculine (the normal form) of devoir is spelt dû, with a circumflex accent. The feminine form (when needed) is spelt with no circumflex, i.e. due.
Present tense:
Singular: Je dois, tu dois, il/elle... doit
Plural: Nous devons, vous devez, ils doivent
Other tenses: Future: je devrai – Simple past: je dus – Passé composé: j'ai dû
Imperfect: je devais – conditional: je devrais – present subjunctive: je doive.
► In the present tense, devoir corresponds to the English must / have to in most of their meanings; both formal obligation (e.g. You must stop that) and probablilty (It must be ten midnight by now). See examples 1 & 2 below
The most confusing points about uses of devoir concern past tenses.
► The perfect or composite past of devoir ( e.g. il a dû) has two quite different meanings, corresponding either to had to or to must have. See examples 3 & 4 below. Logic and context will usually remove any possible ambiguity; for instance, it is very unlikely that Hier j'ai dû acheter un parapluie would mean Yesterday I must have bought an umbrella - unless the speaker suffers from amnesia.
► The imperfect tense of devoir (e.g. il devait) has three possible meanings; it can be used in the sense of had to, or less commonly in the sense of must have. Occasionally it used as a shorter alternative to the past conditional in the sense of ought to have See examples 5 & 6 below
► Used in conditional tenses, devoir implies recommendation or partial obligation, and has the meaning of should / ought to. See examples 7 & 8 below.
►Spelling point: the past participle masculine (the normal form) of devoir is spelt dû, with a circumflex accent. The feminine form (when needed) is spelt with no circumflex, i.e. due.
Present tense:
Singular: Je dois, tu dois, il/elle... doit
Plural: Nous devons, vous devez, ils doivent
Examples:
1. Vous devez arrêter le moteur maintenant.
You must stop the engine now.
2. Il fait nuit noire! Il doit être au moins minuit.
It's pitch dark; it must be at least midnight by now.
3. Il n'y a aucun bruit, il a dû arrêter le moteur maintenant .
or: .... il doit avoir arrêté le moteur maintenant
There's no noise; he must have stopped the engine now.
4. Il y avait une fuite d'huile, donc il a dû arrêter le moteur.
There was an oil leak, so he had to stop the engine.
5. Nous devions être à Paris pour une réunion samedi dernier.
We had to be in Paris for a meeting last Saturday. or
We must have been in Paris for a meeting last Saturday,
6. Nous devions être à Paris pour une réunion , mais nous n'y étions pas.
or: .... Nous aurions dû être à Paris ......
We should have been in Paris for a meeting , but we weren't
7. Si vous avez tout bien appris, vous ne devriez pas avoir de problème.
If you've learned it all well, you shouldn't have any problem.
8. Nous aurions dû prendre un parapluie.
We ought to have brought an umbrella.
Reminder: Context and logic are normally sufficient to clarify which of different meanings of devoir is implied, when more than one interpretation is possible .
1. Vous devez arrêter le moteur maintenant.
You must stop the engine now.
2. Il fait nuit noire! Il doit être au moins minuit.
It's pitch dark; it must be at least midnight by now.
3. Il n'y a aucun bruit, il a dû arrêter le moteur maintenant .
or: .... il doit avoir arrêté le moteur maintenant
There's no noise; he must have stopped the engine now.
4. Il y avait une fuite d'huile, donc il a dû arrêter le moteur.
There was an oil leak, so he had to stop the engine.
5. Nous devions être à Paris pour une réunion samedi dernier.
We had to be in Paris for a meeting last Saturday. or
We must have been in Paris for a meeting last Saturday,
6. Nous devions être à Paris pour une réunion , mais nous n'y étions pas.
or: .... Nous aurions dû être à Paris ......
We should have been in Paris for a meeting , but we weren't
7. Si vous avez tout bien appris, vous ne devriez pas avoir de problème.
If you've learned it all well, you shouldn't have any problem.
8. Nous aurions dû prendre un parapluie.
We ought to have brought an umbrella.
Reminder: Context and logic are normally sufficient to clarify which of different meanings of devoir is implied, when more than one interpretation is possible .
Other tenses: Future: je devrai – Simple past: je dus – Passé composé: j'ai dû
Imperfect: je devais – conditional: je devrais – present subjunctive: je doive.
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