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Intermediate

Modal Verbs

kunnen, moeten, willen, mogen, zullen

The five modals

Each expresses ability, obligation, wish, permission or future.

📊 Modal verbs
Infinitive Meaning ik-form
kunnen can kan
moeten must moet
willen want wil
mogen may mag
zullen shall/will zal
💬 Examples
Ik kan zwemmen.
I can swim.
📝 kunnen = ability
Je moet werken.
You must work.
📝 moeten = obligation
Modal + infinitive at the end

The main verb goes to the end as a bare infinitive.

💬 Examples
Ik wil koffie drinken.
I want to drink coffee.
📝 wil 2nd, drinken at end
We moeten nu gaan.
We must go now.
📝 Infinitive at the end
Irregular ik/jij/hij forms

Modals have special singular forms: kan, mag, wil, moet, zal.

💬 Examples
Hij mag komen.
He may come.
📝 mag = singular of mogen
Mag ik?
May I?
📝 Polite request