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French and Modal Verbs
French and Modal Verbs
FrenchandModalVerbs
FrenchandModalVerbs
Howtotranslatemodalslikecan,should,andmustintoFrench
ByLauraK.Lawless
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UpdatedDecember04,2014.
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SIGNUP
Modalverbs,alsocalledmodalauxiliariesorsimplymodals,areunconjugatedEnglish
verbswhichexpressthemoodofaverb,suchasability,possibility,condition,and
necessity.Withtheexceptionof"ought,"modalsarefolloweddirectlybytheverbthey
modify(without"to"inbetween).TherearetencommonEnglishmodalverbs:
can
could
may
might
must
oughtto
shall
should
FRENCH
LANGUAGE
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will
would
Frenchdoesnothavemodalverbs,whichcanmakeitdifficulttotranslatethem.The
Frenchequivalentsofmodalverbsmaybeaconjugableverb(e.g.,pouvoir),aparticular
verbtenseormood,orevenanadverb.
can
FrenchGrammarLessons
TypingFrenchAccents+
Pronunciation
=pouvoir,savoir(inthepresenttense)
CommonFrenchMistakesand
Difficulties
Icanhelpyou.
Jepeuxvousaider.
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CultureandTravel
Information
FrenchNews,Radio,TV,
Newspapers,Magazines
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Resources
Wecanseeit.
Nouspouvonslevoir.
Canyouswim?
Saistunager?
FrenchToolsForTeachers
InspirationandFunFrench
LanguageInspiration
could
Francophonie
FrenchDictionariesandWord
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(inthepresent)=
pouvoir
FrenchTestsAndProficiency
Standards
(intheconditional)
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Icoulddanceallnight.
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http://french.about.com/od/grammar/a/frenchmodalverbs.htm
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05/04/2016
FrenchandModalVerbs
ExpertVideos
Jepourraisdanserpendanttoutelanuit.
Couldyouhelpme?
Pourriezvousm'aider?
could
(inthepast)=
pouvoir
(intheimperfect)
Hecouldeatalotofcandywhenhewasthree.
Ilpouvaitmangerbeaucoupdebonbonsquandilavaittroisans.
Lastyear,Icouldsleepuntilnooneveryday.
L'annedernire,jepouvaisdormirjusqu'miditouslesjours.
may/might
=
peuttre
,
pouvoir
(intheconditional),
sepouvoir
(inthepresent)
Shemay/mightarriveatnoon.
Ellearriverapeuttremidi,Ellepourraitarrivermidi,Ilsepeutqu'ellearrivemidi.
must
=devoir(presenttense)
Imustleave.
Jedoispartir.
Youmusthelpme.
Vousdevezm'aider.
http://french.about.com/od/grammar/a/frenchmodalverbs.htm
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05/04/2016
FrenchandModalVerbs
shall/will=Frenchfuturetense
Ishall/willhelpyou.
Jevousaiderai.
Hewillarriveatnoon.
Ilarriveramidi.
should/oughtto=devoir
(intheconditional)
Ishould/oughttoleavesoon.
Jedevraispartirbientt.
Youshould/oughttohelpme.
Vousdevriezm'aider.
would
(inthepresent)=
Frenchconditionalmood
Wewouldliketoleave.
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FrenchGrammar
TranslatetoFrench
Nousvoudrionspartir.
IwouldhelpyouifIwereready.
Jevousaideraissij'taisprt.
would
(inthepast)=
Frenchimperfecttense
Hewouldalwaysreadwhenhewasalone.
Illisaittoujoursquandiltaitseul.
Lastyear,Iwouldsleepuntilnooneveryday.
L'annedernire,jedormaisjusqu'miditouslesjours.
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Modals+have+pastparticiple
http://french.about.com/od/grammar/a/frenchmodalverbs.htm
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