French grammar: les verbes modaux (vouloir, pouvoir, devoir) au présent

What this grammar point covers

Modal verbs in French (vouloir, pouvoir, devoir) are verbs that help you express wants, abilities, and obligations. They are used before another verb in its basic (infinitive) form.

When to use it

Use these verbs to say what you want to do (vouloir), what you can do (pouvoir), or what you have to do (devoir). They are followed by another verb in the infinitive.

Key forms

• vouloir: je veux, tu veux, il/elle veut, nous voulons, vous voulez, ils/elles veulent
• pouvoir: je peux, tu peux, il/elle peut, nous pouvons, vous pouvez, ils/elles peuvent
• devoir: je dois, tu dois, il/elle doit, nous devons, vous devez, ils/elles doivent

Examples

Tips

• Always use the infinitive after vouloir, pouvoir, or devoir.
• These verbs are irregular, so memorize their forms.
• Do not use 'de' or 'à' between the modal verb and the infinitive.

Exceptions and edge cases

• The forms of vouloir, pouvoir, and devoir are irregular in the present tense and do not follow a regular pattern.