What Exactly Are Modal Verbs?​

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Modal verbs are short helping verbs that change the way we understand an action. They tell us if something is necessary, possible, allowed, wanted, or advised. They don’t describe the action itself - instead, they give the action a meaning like “can”, “must”, or “should”.

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In English, you use modal verbs every day:

I can swim.
You must leave.
She may sit here.
He should go.
We want to leave.

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German works in the same way. The meaning of modal verbs is very similar to English – and that makes them easy to understand.

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Here are the six main modal verbs in German:

können = can / to be able to
dürfen = may / to be allowed to
müssen = must / to have to
sollen = should / to be supposed to
wollen = to want to
mögen = to like (mostly used with nouns)

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Just like in English, modal verbs are always used with another verb. That second verb is the action you want to describe – like go, eat, stay, or work. But here’s the important part: in German, the modal verb is conjugated, and the main verb stays in the infinitive and moves to the end of the sentence.

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Examples:

I can cook. → Ich kann kochen.
We must leave. → Wir müssen gehen.
She wants to stay. → Sie will bleiben.
He is allowed to play. → Er darf spielen.

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In yes/no questions, the modal verb comes first:

Can you come? → Kannst du kommen?

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And in questions with question words:

Why must she leave? → Warum muss sie gehen?

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Tip: If you’re ever unsure, just check – does the sentence have two verbs? The modal verb goes second (or first in questions), and the main verb goes at the end.

How does the sentence structure work?

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Subject + modal verb (conjugated) + … + main verb (infinitive at the end)

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Examples:
Ich kann gut schwimmen.
Wir müssen morgen arbeiten.
Sie darf nicht laut sprechen.
Ihr wollt ins Kino gehen.

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You now have two verbs in the sentence. The modal verb is in position 2, the main verb is at the end.

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This also affects questions:

Yes/No questions:
Kannst du heute kommen?
Musst du arbeiten?

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W-questions:
Wann musst du gehen?
Warum willst du nicht sprechen?

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In commands or instructions, modal verbs are not used. Instead, use the imperative form. So modal verbs are usually for statements and questions – not for direct orders.

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Tip: The modal verb always comes early in the sentence – usually in position 2 – and the main verb always goes to the end. If you remember just one thing, it’s this: the action verb is pushed to the end.
Say your sentence out loud slowly and listen for two verbs. If there are two, the second one belongs at the end.

The modal verbs – one by one

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können – to be able to, can
Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. – I can speak German.
Kannst du Auto fahren? – Can you drive?

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dürfen – to be allowed to, may
Darf ich hier rauchen? – Am I allowed to smoke here?
Kinder dürfen das nicht tun. – Children are not allowed to do that.

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müssen – must, to have to
Ich muss heute arbeiten. – I must work today.
Musst du schon gehen? – Do you have to go already?

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sollen – should, supposed to
Du sollst mehr trinken. – You should drink more.
Was soll ich machen? – What should I do?

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wollen – to want
Ich will nach Hause gehen. – I want to go home.
Was willst du essen? – What do you want to eat?

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mögen – to like
Ich mag Kaffee. – I like coffee.
Sie mag den Lehrer. – She likes the teacher.
Note: “mögen” is mostly used with things and people – not with verbs.
For polite “would like”, use “möchten”:
Ich möchte einen Tee. – I would like a tea.

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Tip: Learn modal verbs with example sentences. Don’t learn them in isolation. The meaning becomes clear in context.

Modal verbs in the perfect tense

 

In the past tense (Perfekt), modal verbs are a bit tricky.

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You need three parts:

1. haben (conjugated)

2. the main verb (in infinitive)

3. the modal verb (in infinitive)

 

Ich habe lernen müssen. – I had to study.
Wir haben gehen wollen. – We wanted to go.
Er hat nicht bleiben dürfen. – He wasn’t allowed to stay.

This is called the "double infinitive" structure.

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Why is it difficult?
Because both verbs go to the end. Learners often forget one or use the wrong form.

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Tip: This structure is mostly used in formal speech or writing. In everyday conversation, many people use Präteritum instead:

Ich musste lernen.
Er durfte nicht bleiben.

Modal verbs in subordinate clauses

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In subordinate clauses (Nebensätze), like those that start with weil, dass, or wenn, the word order changes: the verb goes to the end of the clause.

If there is only one verb, it simply moves to the end.

But with modal verbs, there are two verbs – and both of them move to the end. The main verb comes first, and the modal verb comes last.

This is different from English, where the order stays the same.

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Examples:
Ich weiß, dass ich morgen arbeiten muss.
→ I know that I have to work tomorrow.

Sie sagt, dass sie nicht kommen kann.
→ She says that she cannot come.

Wenn du früher gehen willst, sag bitte Bescheid.
→ If you want to leave earlier, let us know.

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Important:

• The subordinating conjunction (like dass or weil) comes at the beginning of the clause.

• The subject follows immediately.

• The modal and main verbs go to the end, in the order: main verb + modal verb.

 

Even native speakers sometimes find this structure tricky in longer sentences.

 

Tip: Build your sentence in parts. Start with the main clause, then build the subordinate clause at the end. Don’t forget: modal verb always comes last.

Polite and formal alternatives

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In German, especially in business or formal settings, modal verbs like müssen or sollen can sound too strong or too direct. That’s why you often see alternative structures in written German or in polite conversation. These are more indirect and are used to soften requests or obligations.

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Here are the most common polite alternatives:

brauchen + zu + infinitive

Used to express that something is not necessary.

Ich brauche das nicht zu machen.
→ I don’t need to do that.

Du brauchst nicht mitzukommen.
→ You don’t have to come with us.

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sein + zu + infinitive
Used in formal or impersonal language. Often seen in instructions or official texts.

Das ist leicht zu verstehen.
→ That is easy to understand.

Der Text ist bis Freitag zu übersetzen.
→ The text must be translated by Friday.

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haben + zu + infinitive
Used to express strong obligation or requirements, often in rules or instructions.

Ich habe viel zu tun.
→ I have a lot to do.
Sie haben das Formular auszufüllen.
→ You must complete the form.

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These structures are usually more formal than modal verbs. They are important to understand, even if you don’t use them often yourself yet.

 

Tip: When reading emails, signs, or instructions, look for the words „zu“ + infinitive. These forms express similar meanings to modal verbs, but in a more formal way.

Important tips to avoid mistakes

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Here are some common problems learners face when using modal verbs – and how to avoid them.

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Mistake 1: Using modal verbs without the second verb
Ich kann Deutsch. → This is not wrong, but it’s incomplete.
Correct: Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. → I can speak German.

 

Mistake 2: Conjugating both verbs
Ich will gehe. ❌
Correct: Ich will gehen. ✅

 

Mistake 3: Using “zu” with modal verbs
Ich möchte zu essen. ❌
Correct: Ich möchte essen. ✅
Explanation: Modal verbs never use “zu” before the second verb.

 

Mistake 4: Putting the second verb in the wrong place
Ich kann sprechen Deutsch. ❌
Correct: Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. ✅

 

Mistake 5: Forgetting the second infinitive in the perfect tense
Ich habe gegangen wollen. ❌
Correct: Ich habe gehen wollen. ✅

 

Mistake 6: Putting verbs in the wrong order in subordinate clauses
… dass ich muss arbeiten. ❌
Correct: … dass ich arbeiten muss. ✅

 

Tip: Train your ear for where the verbs belong. In German, the position of the verbs is essential for correct grammar. Reading and listening will help you become more confident over time.

Summary – what to remember

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• modal verbs always come with a second verb in the infinitive

• the modal verb is conjugated and goes in position 2

• the main verb goes to the end

• in the perfect tense, both verbs go to the end in infinitive form

• in subordinate clauses, the modal verb comes last

• common modal verbs: können, dürfen, müssen, sollen, wollen, mögen

• polite or formal alternatives include: brauchen + zu, sein + zu, haben + zu

• modal verbs do not use "zu", but the alternatives usually do

What’s next?

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Continue to: Adjectives and Adverbs in German
Practise with: MIxed Exercises
Download: Modal Verbs Cheat Sheet (PDF)
Book a grammar class at GermanMind