Modal verbs
AQA GCSE German revision on Modal verbs. Aligned to the AQA GCSE German 8668 specification. This bank has 3 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 3)
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Question 1
'Können' means...
- A) Want
- B) Can / be able to
- C) Must
- D) May
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Answer: Can / be able to
Six modal verbs in German: KÖNNEN (can/be able), WOLLEN (want), MÜSSEN (must), SOLLEN (should), DÜRFEN (be allowed/may), MÖGEN (like). Used with a SECOND infinitive at the end. 'Ich kann schwimmen' = I can swim. 'Ich muss arbeiten' = I must work.
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Question 2
'I must learn German' = ?
- A) Ich muss Deutsch lernen
- B) Ich muss Deutsch lerne
- C) Ich lerne Deutsch muss
- D) Ich muss lerne Deutsch
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Answer: Ich muss Deutsch lernen
Word order with modals: subject + MODAL (position 2) + everything else + INFINITIVE (end). 'Ich + muss + Deutsch + lernen.' This is the 'sandwich' - modal in front, infinitive at end. Same pattern with ALL modals: 'Ich will Auto fahren' (I want to drive), 'Sie kann gut singen' (she can sing well).
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Question 3
'I want to eat' = ?
- A) Ich will essen
- B) Ich möchte essen (more polite)
- C) Both are correct
- D) Ich essen will
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Answer: Both are correct
ICH WILL: I want (assertive). ICH MÖCHTE: I would like (polite). Use möchte in shops, restaurants, polite asks. 'Ich möchte einen Kaffee, bitte' = I'd like a coffee please. False friend: German 'will' = want, NOT future tense (which uses werden).
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