Modal Verb Construction

Level 1

Modal Verb (V2) + ... + Main Verb (End)
Example: Ich kann heute kommen. (I can come today.)

How It Works

The modal verb construction is a fundamental part of German word order. It involves two verbs working together:

1. The Modal Verb: This verb is conjugated to match the subject (e.g., ich kann, wir müssen). It always takes the second position in a standard statement.
2. The Infinitive: The main action verb remains in its base form (ending in -en or -n) and is 'kicked' to the very end of the sentence.

The Bare Infinitive:
Unlike many other verbs, modal verbs are followed directly by the infinitive. You do not use the word zu (to) between the verbs. For example: Ich kann schwimmen (not Ich kann zu schwimmen).

The Sentence Bracket (Satzklammer):
Most other parts of the sentence—objects, time expressions, adverbs—usually sit between the modal verb and the infinitive.
Example: Ich will [morgen mit meinem Bruder ins Kino] gehen.

Key Conjugation Rules:

  • In the present tense, the 1st and 3rd person singular (ich and er/sie/es) have no ending (e.g., ich muss, not ich musse).
  • Most modals change their stem vowel in the singular (e.g., dürfen becomes ich darf), with the exception of sollen (ich soll).

Examples (5)

  1. Wir müssen heute lange arbeiten.

    We have to work a long time today.

    Word by Word: We must today long work.

    The modal 'müssen' is in the second position, and the infinitive 'arbeiten' is at the end.

  2. Hier darf man nicht rauchen.

    One is not allowed to smoke here.

    Word by Word: Here may one not smoke.

    The modal 'darf' expresses permission/prohibition and pushes 'rauchen' to the end.

  3. Kannst du mir bitte helfen?

    Can you please help me?

    Word by Word: Can you me please help?

    In a question, the modal moves to the first position, but the infinitive 'helfen' still stays at the very end.

  4. Ich möchte einen Kaffee trinken.

    I would like to drink a coffee.

    Word by Word: I would-like a coffee drink.

    'Möchte' is the polite way to express a wish, followed by the infinitive 'trinken'.

  5. Er will heute nicht nach Hause gehen.

    He does not want to go home today.

    Word by Word: He wants today not to home go.

    Even with negation (nicht) and directions (nach Hause), the infinitive 'gehen' remains the final word.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing the infinitive immediately after the modal verb (English word order).

    Ich kann schwimmen gut.
    Ich kann gut schwimmen.

    In German, the main verb must be at the very end of the clause, after all other information.

  • Conjugating both the modal verb and the main verb.

    Er muss arbeitet heute.
    Er muss heute arbeiten.

    Only the modal verb is conjugated. The main verb must always be in the infinitive form.

  • Adding '-t' to the 3rd person singular of the modal verb.

    Sie kannt Deutsch sprechen.
    Sie kann Deutsch sprechen.

    Modal verbs are irregular; the 'ich' and 'er/sie/es' forms never take an ending.

How It Connects

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Modal Verb ConstructionLevel 1

Learn This First

To learn modal verb constructions, you first need to understand basic German word order (Verb Second). You also need to be familiar with how verbs are conjugated in the present tense and how to conjugate at least one modal verb, as the modal verb takes the conjugated position while the main action moves to the end of the sentence in its infinitive form.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

dürfensollenmögen