The Modal Auxiliaries

English features a group of "helping verbs" that function differently from most others: can, may, must, shall, should, and will. They do not describe an action, but express an attitude toward an action usually represented by an infinitive. Their present-tense conjugations resemble the simple past of strong verbs ("the truth will out"), and they do not use "to" when combining with infinitives ("she can go home"). They form past and future tenses in various ways: "I can," "I could," "I had been able to," "I will be able to"). Note also that "to" is omitted when citing the auxiliary verb itself; we do not say "to must."

The Modal Auxiliaries in German.

The German modal auxiliaries likewise express an attitude toward, or relationship to, an action:

Their present tense conjugations resemble the simple past forms of strong verbs:

	They don't bite, they just want to play! [Ad for the Berliner Eisbären = ice hockey team]

	Do you also not know exactly what you want to become?

With the exception of "mögen," the modals generally combine with an infinitive (without "zu"). Some examples:

It is also possible to combine two modals this way:

*"Müssen nur wollen" is the title of a song by the group Wir sind Helden (We Are Heroes). Here are the lyrics.

"mögen" normally does not combine with another verb, except in its subjunctive form, "möchte." In the indicative, it means "to like [something]" (although see "special meanings":)

The modals to not require an infinitive, however. Sometimes it is only implied:

To find out about using modal auxiliaries in the passive voice, click here.

The modals' past forms resemble those of the other "irregular strong verbs":

Examples of the Simple Past Tense with Modals

There are two ways in which modals form past participles. When there is no accompanying infinitive, the modals act like irregular strong verbs:

When the modal is associated with another verb, the two combine in the perfect tenses to form a double infinitive:

The double infinitive can easily become awkward, and most speakers prefer to use the simple past.

In dependent clauses, the double infinitive stays at the end, and the finite verbs slips into the second-the-last position:

In the above examples, the modal was put into a perfect tense. As in English, the modal can have a different meaning when combined with another verb that is in the past. Note the distinctions:

Special Meanings of the Modal Auxiliaries.

"dürfen" has several meanings:

• Usually it expresses permission or a right to do something ("may").

Darf ich jetzt essen?	May I eat now?
Jeder darf seine Meinung äußern.	Everyone may express his or her opinion.
Darf ich bitte zu Ende reden?	May I please finish what I'm trying to say?



• In the negative, "dürfen" can refer to a moral obligation, corresponding to "müssen" in the positive:

Wir dürfen nicht zu laut sein.

We mustn't be too loud.



• Although the use is now somewhat old-fashioned, "dürfen" can mean 'need only':

Du darfst nur anrufen, und ich komme sofort.

You need only call, and I'll come right away.



• The general subjunctive form ("dürfte") can be used to express mild conviction:

Das dürfte wohl wahr sein.	That may well be/is probably true.
Das Radio dürfte jetzt funktionieren.	The radio probably works now.
Die Polizei dürfte Sie fragen, wo Sie waren.	The police will probably ask you where you were.

"können" also has a variety of meanings:

• To have the ability or power:

Kannst du Klavier spielen?	Can you play the piano?
Er kann ziemlich hoch springen.	He can jump pretty high.



• As a transitive verb meaning to know how to do something or to know something thoroughly:

Sie kann gut Deutsch.	She speaks German well.
Er kann das Gedicht auswendig.	He can say the poem by heart.



• To be able to bear:

Ich kann kein Blut sehen.

I can't stand the sight of blood.



• To be possible or likely:

Das kann wahr sein.	That could/may be true.
Das kann nicht sein.	That can't be true.
Es könnte wohl regnen.	It could well rain.



• As a mild form of command:

Sie können jetzt gehen.	You can go now.
Ihr könntet uns mal helfen.	You could give us a hand.



• As a form of permission, indicating that there is nothing in the way:

Meinetwegen kann sie mitspielen.	As far as I'm concerned, she can play, too.
Ihr könntet gern mitkommen.	Y'all are welcome to come along.
Sie können es ruhig nehmen.	You're welcome to take it.



• As an indication of an opportunity or good reason to do something:

Sie können stolz auf ihr Kind sein.	You can be proud of your child.
Wir können jetzt essen.	We can eat now.

"mögen":

• To like something:

Ich mag keine Eier.	I don't like eggs.
Sie mag ihn nicht.	She doesn't like him.



• This meaning is most frequently used in the subjunctive to shape requests or wishes:

Ich möchte ein Glas Leitungswasser.	I'd like a glass of tap water.
Möchtest du etwas anderes machen?	Would you like to do something else?



• "mögen" can be used in the special subjunctive for third-person commands:

Möge sie glücklich sein.	May she be happy.
Möge Gott dir helfen.	May God help you.



• To indicate possibility or probability. In this sense, "mögen" is always used positively. To deny a possibility, use "können" ("Das kann nicht sein"):

Es mag jetzt zu spät sein.	It may be too late.
Das möchte wohl ein Problem werden.	That might well become a problem.



• To grant or concede a point:

Er mag so viel von seinen Leistungen reden, wie er will, ich finde ihn trotzdem doof.	He can talk all he wants about his accomplishments - I still think he's stupid.
Er möge schreien soviel er will, wir kaufen es ihm nicht.	He can yell as much as he wants, but we won't buy it for him.

	One has to do everything oneself

"müssen":

• To indicate necessity or obligation:

Muss ich das tun?	Do I have to do that?
Muss das sein?	Is that necessary?
Jeder muss irgendwann sterben.	Everybody has to die sometime.
Ich musste lachen.	I had to laugh.



• With "müssen" a strong obligation expressed only in the positive. In contrast, "nicht müssen" means "don't have to." To translate "must not" use "nicht dürfen" or "nicht sollen":

Du musst mehr essen.	You must eat more.
Du musst nichts sagen.	You don't have to say anything.
Sie muss nicht mitsingen.	She doesn't have to sing along.



• The necessity can be implied in an expression of strong probability:

Du musst sehr enttäuscht gewesen sein.	You must have been very disappointed.
Das muss weh tun.	That must hurt.



• There can be an implication that the necessity is unfortunate:

Gerade mich musste er sehen.	He had to see me, of all people.
Das musste kommen!	Of course that had to happen!

	We're making our village more beautiful.

 "sollen":

• To indicate moral constraint:

Du sollst nicht töten.	Thou shalt not kill.
Sie sollen sich besser benehmen!	You should behave better!



• As a command:

Sie sollen sofort kommen.	You are to come right away.
Er soll um fünf da sein.	He should be there at five.



• To indicate an intent:

Dieser Computer sollte die Arbeit leichter machen.	This computer was supposed to make my work easier.
Soll das ein Witz sein?	Is that supposed to be a joke?



• To indicate a logical probability:

Eigentlich soll das eine größere Zahl ergeben.

That should actually produce a higher number.



• To ascertain someone's will:

Sollen wir jetzt essen?

Shall we eat now?



• Other senses of "supposed to be":

Dresden soll sehr schön sein.	Dresden is supposed to be very beautiful.
Er sollte schon längst hier sein.	He was supposed to be here long ago.
Ich soll das Geld am ersten des Monats erhalten.	I'm supposed to get the money on the first of the month.

"wollen":

• To express want, desire, or intention:

Ich will dich nie wieder sehen.	I don't ever want to see you again.
Was willst du jetzt?	What do you want now?
Sie will nur das Beste für ihr Kind.	She only wants the best for her child.
Wir wollen ihren Geburtstag feiern.	We want to celebrate her birthday.
Er wollte es heute vorbeibringen.	He was going to bring it by today.
Wir wollen nicht weiter davon sprechen.	We won't mention it any more.



• To claim or profess:

Sie will nichts gehört haben.	She claims to have heard nothing.
Er will das Geld gefunden haben.	He claims to have found the money.
Dieses Buch will die umfassendste Studie sein.	This book professes to be the most complete study.



• To be about to:

Ich wollte dich gerade anrufen.	I was just about to call you up.
Er ist gekommen, als wir gehen wollten.	He came as we were about to leave.



• Some other meanings:

Wie wollen Sie das tun?	How do you expect to do that?
Wie haben stundenlang gewartet, aber er wollte nicht kommen.	We waited for hours, but he didn't show up.
Bücher wollen gelesen werden.	Books are supposed to be read.
Das will nicht viel sagen.	That doesn't mean much.

	I want a legal protection that represents my interests, even on the internet.