Modal Verbs
Modal Verbs
Potere (can), dovere (must), and volere (want) unlock a huge range of sentences on their own — each pairs directly with another verb's infinitive.
Grammar Comparison
Grammar Comparison
Modals Attach Directly to an Infinitive
Voglio mangiare.
I want to eat.
Potere, dovere, and volere are followed straight by another verb in its infinitive form, with nothing in between — no separate word for 'to' the way English needs one. Voglio mangiare is literally 'I-want eat', and that's the complete, correct sentence.
All Three Are Irregular
posso, devo, voglio
I can, I must, I want
None of these three verbs follow the regular -ere conjugation pattern from the previous lesson. Each has its own irregular stem that changes across the persons (posso/puoi/può..., devo/devi/deve..., voglio/vuoi/vuole...) and simply has to be memorized — but the payoff is large, since these three verbs appear in an enormous share of everyday sentences.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
- English
- I can
- English
- you can
- English
- he/she can
- English
- I must
- English
- you must
- English
- he/she must
- English
- I want
- English
- you want
- English
- he/she wants
- English
- we can
- English
- we must
- English
- we want