{"id":248,"date":"2024-02-23T19:30:51","date_gmt":"2024-02-24T00:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/frenchoer1\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=248"},"modified":"2024-02-23T19:31:01","modified_gmt":"2024-02-24T00:31:01","slug":"4-11-structure-les-verbes-modaux-et-la-construction-infinitive","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/frenchoer1\/chapter\/4-11-structure-les-verbes-modaux-et-la-construction-infinitive\/","title":{"raw":"4.11: Structure - Les verbes modaux et la construction infinitive","rendered":"4.11: Structure &#8211; Les verbes modaux et la construction infinitive"},"content":{"raw":"<p class=\"lt-human-104290\">In this section, you will learn about:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Modal verbs (<strong>savoir<\/strong>, <strong>pouvoir<\/strong>, <strong>vouloir<\/strong> &amp; <strong>devoir<\/strong>)<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Infinitive constructions<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<section class=\"box-note\">\r\n<div class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2 class=\"box-legend editable\"><span class=\"lt-icon-default\">Media Alternative<\/span><\/h2>\r\nListen to the audio clips that follow on this page to hear the French pronunciation of vocabulary and examples presented.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<div id=\"section_1\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2 class=\"editable\">On \u00e9tudie !<\/h2>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">You have seen several examples of how to put two verbs together. For example,<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">J'<strong>aime<\/strong><strong> danser<\/strong>. (I like to dance.)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Elle <strong>esp\u00e8re gagner<\/strong>. (She hopes to win.)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Il <strong>pr\u00e9f\u00e8re faire<\/strong> du v\u00e9lo. (He prefers to ride a bike.)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Nous <strong>aimons \u00e9tudier<\/strong> le fran\u00e7ais. (We like to study French.)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">In each case, only the first verb is conjugated while the second verb is in the infinitive.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">In this section, we are going to practice putting verbs together to talk about what we \"know how\" to do, what we \"are able\" to do, what we \"want\" to do, and what we \"have\" to do:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>savoir<\/strong> (knowing how to)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>pouvoir <\/strong>(being able to do)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>vouloir <\/strong>(wanting to do)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>devoir <\/strong>(having to do)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Watch how the meaning of <strong>parler<\/strong> changes with each of these verbs:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Je parle fran\u00e7ais. (I speak French.)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>sais<\/strong> parler fran\u00e7ais. (I know how to speak French.)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>veux<\/strong> parler fran\u00e7ais. (I want to speak French.)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>peux<\/strong> parler fran\u00e7ais. (I am able to speak French. I can speak French.)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>dois<\/strong> parler fran\u00e7ais. (I must speak French. I have to speak French.)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Let's practice these one at a time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"section_2\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4 class=\"editable\"><strong>Le verbe savoir<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Qu'est-ce que tu sais faire ?<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">One way to express \"knowing\" is with the verb <strong>savoir<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\"><caption>Conjugaison du verbe <strong>savoir<\/strong> (to know)<\/caption>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Singulier<\/th>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Pluriel<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\"><span class=\"mt-font-size-(Default)\">je <strong>sais<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\"><span class=\"mt-font-size-(Default)\">nous <strong>savons<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\"><span class=\"mt-font-size-(Default)\">tu <strong>sais<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\"><span class=\"mt-font-size-(Default)\">vous <strong>savez<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\"><span class=\"mt-font-size-(Default)\">il, elle, on <strong>sait<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\"><span class=\"mt-font-size-(Default)\">ils, elles <strong>savent<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">You can use this verb to talk about (1) what someone knows and (2) what someone knows how to do.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\"><caption>Knowing facts or pieces of information<\/caption>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Fran\u00e7ais<\/th>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Anglais<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">M. Tissinier <strong>sait<\/strong> l'\u00e2ge de sa femme.<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Anglais\">Mr. Tissinier knows his wife's age.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Je <strong>sais<\/strong> combien de personnes habitent \u00e0 Brest.<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Anglais\">I know how many people live in Brest.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\"><strong>Savez<\/strong>-vous pourquoi elle est absente ?<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Anglais\">Do you know why she is absent?<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">\r\n<audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\"><caption>Knowing how to do something (<strong>savoir<\/strong> + infinitive verb)<\/caption>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Fran\u00e7ais<\/th>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Anglais<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">M. Tissinier <strong>sait<\/strong> parler occitan.<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Anglais\">M. Tissinier knows how to speak Occitanian.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Je <strong>sais<\/strong> faire un g\u00e2teau au chocolat.<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Anglais\">I know how to make a chocolate cake.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\"><strong>Savez<\/strong>-vous danser le tango ?<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Anglais\">Do you know how to dance the tango?<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"section_3\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4 class=\"editable\"><strong style=\"font-size: 1.3rem\">Les verbes vouloir et pouvoir<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Qu'est-ce que tu veux faire ? Qu'est-ce que tu peux faire ?<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">We are practicing these two verbs together because they are conjugated in a similar way:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\"><caption>Conjugaison du verbe <strong>vouloir<\/strong> (to want)<\/caption>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Singulier<\/th>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Pluriel<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">je <strong>veux<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">nous <strong>voulons<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">tu <strong>veux<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">vous <strong>voulez<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">il, elle, on <strong>veut<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">ils, elles <strong>veulent<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\"><caption>Conjugaison du verbe <strong>pouvoir<\/strong> (to be able to, can)<\/caption>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Singulier<\/th>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Pluriel<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">je <strong>peux<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">nous <strong>pouvons<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">tu <strong>peux<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">vous <strong>pouvez<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">il, elle, on <strong>peut<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">ils, elles <strong>peuvent<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<div class=\"box-definition\">\r\n<div class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4 class=\"box-legend lt-human-104348 editable\"><span class=\"lt-icon-default\">Ressources\u00a0suppl\u00e9mentaires<\/span><\/h4>\r\nWatch these videos to practice pronouncing:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\"><a class=\"link-https\" title=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X6o9sVPDiNQ\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X6o9sVPDiNQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener nofollow\">vouloir<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\"><a class=\"link-https\" title=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k5gR0psPGYg\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k5gR0psPGYg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener nofollow\">pouvoir<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Notice how the <strong>l<\/strong> is preserved in the plural forms of <strong>vouloir<\/strong>, and the <strong>v<\/strong> is preserved in the plural forms of <strong>pouvoir<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">(a) <strong>Vouloir<\/strong>. You can use this verb to talk about (1) something someone wants and (2) what someone wants to do.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\"><caption>Wanting something<\/caption>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" scope=\"col\">Fran\u00e7ais<\/th>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" scope=\"col\">Anglais<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Je <strong>veux<\/strong> un caf\u00e9 au lait.<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Anglais\">I want a caf\u00e9 au lait.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Adeline <strong>veut<\/strong> une nouvelle robe.<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Anglais\">Adeline wants a new dress.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Les enfants <strong>veulent<\/strong> des bonbons.<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Anglais\">The children want candy.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\"><caption>Wanting to do something<\/caption>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" scope=\"col\">Fran\u00e7ais<\/th>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" scope=\"col\">Anglais<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Je <strong>veux<\/strong> jouer au football ce week-end.<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Anglais\">I want to play soccer this weekend.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Adeline <strong>veut<\/strong> sortir avec Anne.<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Anglais\">Adeline wants to go out with Anne.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Les enfants <strong>veulent<\/strong> jouer au jeux vid\u00e9o.<\/td>\r\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Anglais\">The children want to play video games.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">In addition to <strong>vouloir<\/strong>, we have these other ways to express our wants and desires:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>avoir envie de....<\/strong> (to feel like.. .)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-2 lt-human-114824\">Nous <strong>avons envie de<\/strong> visiter le S\u00e9n\u00e9gal<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>r\u00eaver de...<\/strong> (to dream of...)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-2 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>r\u00eave de<\/strong> visiter la Nouvelle Cal\u00e9donie.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>d\u00e9sirer...<\/strong> (to want, desire...)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-2 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>d\u00e9sire<\/strong> visiter le Ch\u00e2teau d'Uss\u00e9.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">(b) <strong>Pouvoir<\/strong> is always followed by a verb, even if it's only implied. Compare:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Il <strong>peut<\/strong>, s'il veut. Il <strong>peut<\/strong> \u00e9crire avec les deux mains.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">He can if he wants. He can write with both hands.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">The verb <strong>pouvoir<\/strong> (to be able to) can express ability, but also permission, just like English (I am able to vs. I am allowed to). Here are more ways to express ability and permission like <strong>pouvoir<\/strong>:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">ability permission<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">\u00eatre capable de... avoir la permission de...<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">avoir la capacit\u00e9 de... \u00eatre autoris\u00e9(e) \u00e0...<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"section_4\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4 class=\"editable\"><strong style=\"font-size: 1.1rem\">Le verbe devoir<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Qu'est-ce que tu dois faire ?<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">There are many ways to express necessity and obligation in French. We have already seen the expression <strong>avoir besoin de... (to need to...)<\/strong>. The verb <strong>devoir<\/strong> is a useful way to express necessity and obligation:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\r\n\r\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\"><caption>Conjugaison du verbe <strong>devoir<\/strong> (to have to, must)<\/caption>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Singulier<\/th>\r\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Pluriel<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">je <strong>dois<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">nous <strong>devons<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">tu <strong>dois<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">vous <strong>devez<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">il, elle, on <strong>doit<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">ils, elles <strong>doivent<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>dois<\/strong> finir mon projet \u00e0 temps. (I must finish my project on time.)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Il <strong>doit<\/strong> aider sa m\u00e8re parce qu'elle est malade. (He has to help his mother because she is sick.)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Nous ne <strong>devons<\/strong> pas faire \u00e7a. (We shouldn't do that.)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Other ways to express necessity and obligation like <strong>devoir<\/strong> include:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>\u00eatre oblig\u00e9 de...<\/strong> (to be obligated to...)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-2 lt-human-114824\">Il <strong>est oblig\u00e9 de<\/strong> vendre sa maison.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>avoir besoin de...<\/strong> (to need to...)<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-2 lt-human-114824\">Il <strong>a besoin de<\/strong> vendre sa maison.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">You can also use an impersonal expression. The most common one is <strong>Il faut<\/strong> (it is necessary...). In this expression, the subject pronoun <strong>il<\/strong> (it) does not refer to a specific person or thing:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Pour apprendre le fran\u00e7ais, <strong>il faut<\/strong> pratiquer. To learn French, it is necessary to practice.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Other impersonal expressions of necessity include:<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">il est n\u00e9cessaire de....<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">il est obligatoire de...<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">il est essentiel de\u2026<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">il est important de...<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"section_5\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2 class=\"lt-human-114824 editable\">On pratique !<\/h2>\r\n<div id=\"section_6\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3 class=\"editable\">Activit\u00e9\u00a0A<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Sabine is describing what her family members know how to do. Fill in her sentences with the right conjugation of <strong>savoir<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Mon p\u00e8re <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span> b\u00e2tir des maisons.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Mon petit fr\u00e8re Omar <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span> marcher, il a un an.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Mes deux chiens TinTin et Milou <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span> attraper le ballon.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Moi, je <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span> jouer de la guitare.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Mes s\u0153urs jumelles Anna et Sophie <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span> jouer du piano et de la batterie.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Ma m\u00e8re <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span> trouver des maisons pour ses clients. Elle est agente immobili\u00e8re.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"section_7\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3 class=\"editable\">Activit\u00e9 B<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Complete the sentences with the most appropriate conjugation of <strong>vouloir<\/strong>:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Tu_____________partir en voyage ?<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Natalie_________________faire les courses.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Nous________________vous expliquer la le\u00e7on.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Le pr\u00e9sident____________ouvrir les commerces.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Les Fran\u00e7ais______________sortir de leur maison.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Vous______________boire un coup avec moi ?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"section_8\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3 class=\"editable\">Activit\u00e9 C<\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Complete the sentences with the most appropriate conjugation of <strong>pouvoir<\/strong>:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Je_____________vous poser une question ?<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Nous___________partir maintenant ?<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Vous___________sortir en bo\u00eete ?<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Non, tu ne____________pas faire cela.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Ils_____________\u00e9tudier en regardant la t\u00e9l\u00e9.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Vous______________retourner sur le campus.<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Nadine ne__________pas jouer au tennis parce qu\u2019elle n'a pas de raquette.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"section_9\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3 class=\"editable\">Activit\u00e9 D<\/h3>\r\nTransformez avec <strong>devoir<\/strong>. Transform these sentences by replacing <strong>il faut<\/strong> with the verb <strong>devoir<\/strong>. Follow the model.\r\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Mod\u00e8le : Il faut que j\u2019\u00e9coute de la musique. \u2794 Je dois \u00e9couter de la musique.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut que tu manges. \u2794 <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut que je quitte la maison. \u2794 <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut que Marie cherche un appartement. \u2794 <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut que les \u00e9tudiants \u00e9tudient les maths. \u2794 <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut que l\u2019\u00e9cole commence. \u2794 <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut que je visite Paris. \u2794 <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut acheter des cahiers. \u2794 (nous) <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut faire les devoirs. \u2794 (vous)<span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"section_10\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2 class=\"editable\">On approfondit !<\/h2>\r\n<div class=\"box-definition\">\r\n<div class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3 class=\"box-legend lt-human-104348 editable\"><span class=\"lt-icon-default\">Ressources\u00a0en ligne<\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"lt-human-104333\">Use the following resources\u00a0to\u00a0type accents and\/or search for words:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a class=\"link-https\" href=\"https:\/\/french.typeit.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener nofollow\">Accents<\/a>:\u00a0\u00e7,\u00a0\u00e0,\u00a0\u00e9,\u00a0\u00e8,\u00a0\u00e2,\u00a0\u00ea,\u00a0\u00ee,\u00a0\u00f4,\u00a0\u00fb,\u00a0\u00f9,\u00a0\u00eb,\u00a0\u00ef,\u00a0\u00fc<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a class=\"link-https\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wordreference.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener nofollow\">Dictionnaire<\/a>\u00a0fran\u00e7ais-anglais<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"section_11\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3 class=\"editable\"><strong>Exercice 1 : le verbe 'savoir'<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n[embed]https:\/\/studio.libretexts.org\/h5p\/5728\/embed[\/embed]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"section_12\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3 class=\"editable\"><strong>Exercice 2\u00a0: le verbe 'vouloir'<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n[embed]https:\/\/studio.libretexts.org\/h5p\/5729\/embed[\/embed]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"section_13\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3 class=\"editable\"><strong>Exercice 3\u00a0: le verbe 'pouvoir'<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n[embed]https:\/\/studio.libretexts.org\/h5p\/5730\/embed[\/embed]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"section_14\" class=\"mt-section\">\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h3 class=\"editable\"><strong>Exercice 4\u00a0: le verbe 'devoir'<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n[embed]https:\/\/studio.libretexts.org\/h5p\/5732\/embed[\/embed]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<footer class=\"mt-content-footer\">\r\n\r\n<hr class=\"autoattribution-divider\" \/>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"autoattribution\">\r\n\r\n<a class=\"internal mt-self-link\" href=\"https:\/\/human.libretexts.org\/Bookshelves\/Languages\/French\/French_OER_1_(Carrasco_Zahedi_and_Parrish)\/04%3A_Unite_4_-_Le_temps_et_les_loisirs\/4.11%3A_Structure_-_Les_verbes_modaux_et_la_construction_infinitive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"internal noopener\">4.11: Structure - Les verbes modaux et la construction infinitive<\/a> is shared under a <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CC BY-NC 4.0<\/a> license and was authored, remixed, and\/or curated by LibreTexts.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<!-- pb_fixme -->\r\n\r\n<\/footer>","rendered":"<p class=\"lt-human-104290\">In this section, you will learn about:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Modal verbs (<strong>savoir<\/strong>, <strong>pouvoir<\/strong>, <strong>vouloir<\/strong> &amp; <strong>devoir<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Infinitive constructions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<section class=\"box-note\">\n<div class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"box-legend editable\"><span class=\"lt-icon-default\">Media Alternative<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Listen to the audio clips that follow on this page to hear the French pronunciation of vocabulary and examples presented.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div id=\"section_1\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"editable\">On \u00e9tudie !<\/h2>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">You have seen several examples of how to put two verbs together. For example,<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">J&#8217;<strong>aime<\/strong><strong> danser<\/strong>. (I like to dance.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Elle <strong>esp\u00e8re gagner<\/strong>. (She hopes to win.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Il <strong>pr\u00e9f\u00e8re faire<\/strong> du v\u00e9lo. (He prefers to ride a bike.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Nous <strong>aimons \u00e9tudier<\/strong> le fran\u00e7ais. (We like to study French.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">In each case, only the first verb is conjugated while the second verb is in the infinitive.<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">In this section, we are going to practice putting verbs together to talk about what we &#8220;know how&#8221; to do, what we &#8220;are able&#8221; to do, what we &#8220;want&#8221; to do, and what we &#8220;have&#8221; to do:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>savoir<\/strong> (knowing how to)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>pouvoir <\/strong>(being able to do)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>vouloir <\/strong>(wanting to do)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>devoir <\/strong>(having to do)<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Watch how the meaning of <strong>parler<\/strong> changes with each of these verbs:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Je parle fran\u00e7ais. (I speak French.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>sais<\/strong> parler fran\u00e7ais. (I know how to speak French.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>veux<\/strong> parler fran\u00e7ais. (I want to speak French.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>peux<\/strong> parler fran\u00e7ais. (I am able to speak French. I can speak French.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>dois<\/strong> parler fran\u00e7ais. (I must speak French. I have to speak French.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Let&#8217;s practice these one at a time.<\/p>\n<div id=\"section_2\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"editable\"><strong>Le verbe savoir<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Qu&#8217;est-ce que tu sais faire ?<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">One way to express &#8220;knowing&#8221; is with the verb <strong>savoir<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\">\n<caption>Conjugaison du verbe <strong>savoir<\/strong> (to know)<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Singulier<\/th>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Pluriel<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\"><span class=\"mt-font-size-(Default)\">je <strong>sais<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\"><span class=\"mt-font-size-(Default)\">nous <strong>savons<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\"><span class=\"mt-font-size-(Default)\">tu <strong>sais<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\"><span class=\"mt-font-size-(Default)\">vous <strong>savez<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\"><span class=\"mt-font-size-(Default)\">il, elle, on <strong>sait<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\"><span class=\"mt-font-size-(Default)\">ils, elles <strong>savent<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">You can use this verb to talk about (1) what someone knows and (2) what someone knows how to do.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\">\n<caption>Knowing facts or pieces of information<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Fran\u00e7ais<\/th>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Anglais<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">M. Tissinier <strong>sait<\/strong> l&#8217;\u00e2ge de sa femme.<\/td>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Anglais\">Mr. Tissinier knows his wife&#8217;s age.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Je <strong>sais<\/strong> combien de personnes habitent \u00e0 Brest.<\/td>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Anglais\">I know how many people live in Brest.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\"><strong>Savez<\/strong>-vous pourquoi elle est absente ?<\/td>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Anglais\">Do you know why she is absent?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">\n<audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\">\n<caption>Knowing how to do something (<strong>savoir<\/strong> + infinitive verb)<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Fran\u00e7ais<\/th>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Anglais<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">M. Tissinier <strong>sait<\/strong> parler occitan.<\/td>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Anglais\">M. Tissinier knows how to speak Occitanian.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Je <strong>sais<\/strong> faire un g\u00e2teau au chocolat.<\/td>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Anglais\">I know how to make a chocolate cake.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\"><strong>Savez<\/strong>-vous danser le tango ?<\/td>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Anglais\">Do you know how to dance the tango?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"section_3\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"editable\"><strong style=\"font-size: 1.3rem\">Les verbes vouloir et pouvoir<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Qu&#8217;est-ce que tu veux faire ? Qu&#8217;est-ce que tu peux faire ?<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">We are practicing these two verbs together because they are conjugated in a similar way:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\">\n<caption>Conjugaison du verbe <strong>vouloir<\/strong> (to want)<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Singulier<\/th>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Pluriel<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">je <strong>veux<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">nous <strong>voulons<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">tu <strong>veux<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">vous <strong>voulez<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">il, elle, on <strong>veut<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">ils, elles <strong>veulent<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\">\n<caption>Conjugaison du verbe <strong>pouvoir<\/strong> (to be able to, can)<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Singulier<\/th>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Pluriel<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">je <strong>peux<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">nous <strong>pouvons<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">tu <strong>peux<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">vous <strong>pouvez<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">il, elle, on <strong>peut<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">ils, elles <strong>peuvent<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"box-definition\">\n<div class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"box-legend lt-human-104348 editable\"><span class=\"lt-icon-default\">Ressources\u00a0suppl\u00e9mentaires<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Watch these videos to practice pronouncing:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\"><a class=\"link-https\" title=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X6o9sVPDiNQ\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X6o9sVPDiNQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener nofollow\">vouloir<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\"><a class=\"link-https\" title=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k5gR0psPGYg\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k5gR0psPGYg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener nofollow\">pouvoir<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Notice how the <strong>l<\/strong> is preserved in the plural forms of <strong>vouloir<\/strong>, and the <strong>v<\/strong> is preserved in the plural forms of <strong>pouvoir<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">(a) <strong>Vouloir<\/strong>. You can use this verb to talk about (1) something someone wants and (2) what someone wants to do.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\">\n<caption>Wanting something<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" scope=\"col\">Fran\u00e7ais<\/th>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" scope=\"col\">Anglais<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Je <strong>veux<\/strong> un caf\u00e9 au lait.<\/td>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Anglais\">I want a caf\u00e9 au lait.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Adeline <strong>veut<\/strong> une nouvelle robe.<\/td>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Anglais\">Adeline wants a new dress.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Les enfants <strong>veulent<\/strong> des bonbons.<\/td>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Anglais\">The children want candy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\">\n<caption>Wanting to do something<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" scope=\"col\">Fran\u00e7ais<\/th>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" scope=\"col\">Anglais<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Je <strong>veux<\/strong> jouer au football ce week-end.<\/td>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Anglais\">I want to play soccer this weekend.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Adeline <strong>veut<\/strong> sortir avec Anne.<\/td>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Anglais\">Adeline wants to go out with Anne.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Fran\u00e7ais\">Les enfants <strong>veulent<\/strong> jouer au jeux vid\u00e9o.<\/td>\n<td class=\"lt-human-114824\" style=\"vertical-align: middle\" data-th=\"Anglais\">The children want to play video games.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">In addition to <strong>vouloir<\/strong>, we have these other ways to express our wants and desires:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>avoir envie de&#8230;.<\/strong> (to feel like.. .)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-2 lt-human-114824\">Nous <strong>avons envie de<\/strong> visiter le S\u00e9n\u00e9gal<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>r\u00eaver de&#8230;<\/strong> (to dream of&#8230;)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-2 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>r\u00eave de<\/strong> visiter la Nouvelle Cal\u00e9donie.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>d\u00e9sirer&#8230;<\/strong> (to want, desire&#8230;)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-2 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>d\u00e9sire<\/strong> visiter le Ch\u00e2teau d&#8217;Uss\u00e9.<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">(b) <strong>Pouvoir<\/strong> is always followed by a verb, even if it&#8217;s only implied. Compare:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Il <strong>peut<\/strong>, s&#8217;il veut. Il <strong>peut<\/strong> \u00e9crire avec les deux mains.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">He can if he wants. He can write with both hands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">The verb <strong>pouvoir<\/strong> (to be able to) can express ability, but also permission, just like English (I am able to vs. I am allowed to). Here are more ways to express ability and permission like <strong>pouvoir<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">ability permission<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">\u00eatre capable de&#8230; avoir la permission de&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">avoir la capacit\u00e9 de&#8230; \u00eatre autoris\u00e9(e) \u00e0&#8230;<\/p>\n<div id=\"section_4\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"editable\"><strong style=\"font-size: 1.1rem\">Le verbe devoir<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Qu&#8217;est-ce que tu dois faire ?<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">There are many ways to express necessity and obligation in French. We have already seen the expression <strong>avoir besoin de&#8230; (to need to&#8230;)<\/strong>. The verb <strong>devoir<\/strong> is a useful way to express necessity and obligation:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><audio controls=\"controls\"><\/audio><\/p>\n<table class=\"mt-responsive-table\">\n<caption>Conjugaison du verbe <strong>devoir<\/strong> (to have to, must)<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Singulier<\/th>\n<th class=\"mt-align-center\" scope=\"col\">Pluriel<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">je <strong>dois<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">nous <strong>devons<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">tu <strong>dois<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">vous <strong>devez<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Singulier\">il, elle, on <strong>doit<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"mt-align-center lt-human-114824\" data-th=\"Pluriel\">ils, elles <strong>doivent<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Je <strong>dois<\/strong> finir mon projet \u00e0 temps. (I must finish my project on time.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Il <strong>doit<\/strong> aider sa m\u00e8re parce qu&#8217;elle est malade. (He has to help his mother because she is sick.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Nous ne <strong>devons<\/strong> pas faire \u00e7a. (We shouldn&#8217;t do that.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Other ways to express necessity and obligation like <strong>devoir<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>\u00eatre oblig\u00e9 de&#8230;<\/strong> (to be obligated to&#8230;)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-2 lt-human-114824\">Il <strong>est oblig\u00e9 de<\/strong> vendre sa maison.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\"><strong>avoir besoin de&#8230;<\/strong> (to need to&#8230;)<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-2 lt-human-114824\">Il <strong>a besoin de<\/strong> vendre sa maison.<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">You can also use an impersonal expression. The most common one is <strong>Il faut<\/strong> (it is necessary&#8230;). In this expression, the subject pronoun <strong>il<\/strong> (it) does not refer to a specific person or thing:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Pour apprendre le fran\u00e7ais, <strong>il faut<\/strong> pratiquer. To learn French, it is necessary to practice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Other impersonal expressions of necessity include:<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">il est n\u00e9cessaire de&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">il est obligatoire de&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">il est essentiel de\u2026<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">il est important de&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"section_5\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"lt-human-114824 editable\">On pratique !<\/h2>\n<div id=\"section_6\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"editable\">Activit\u00e9\u00a0A<\/h3>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Sabine is describing what her family members know how to do. Fill in her sentences with the right conjugation of <strong>savoir<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Mon p\u00e8re <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span> b\u00e2tir des maisons.<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Mon petit fr\u00e8re Omar <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span> marcher, il a un an.<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Mes deux chiens TinTin et Milou <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span> attraper le ballon.<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Moi, je <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span> jouer de la guitare.<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Mes s\u0153urs jumelles Anna et Sophie <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span> jouer du piano et de la batterie.<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Ma m\u00e8re <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span> trouver des maisons pour ses clients. Elle est agente immobili\u00e8re.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"section_7\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"editable\">Activit\u00e9 B<\/h3>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Complete the sentences with the most appropriate conjugation of <strong>vouloir<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Tu_____________partir en voyage ?<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Natalie_________________faire les courses.<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Nous________________vous expliquer la le\u00e7on.<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Le pr\u00e9sident____________ouvrir les commerces.<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Les Fran\u00e7ais______________sortir de leur maison.<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Vous______________boire un coup avec moi ?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"section_8\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"editable\">Activit\u00e9 C<\/h3>\n<p class=\"lt-human-114824\">Complete the sentences with the most appropriate conjugation of <strong>pouvoir<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Je_____________vous poser une question ?<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Nous___________partir maintenant ?<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Vous___________sortir en bo\u00eete ?<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Non, tu ne____________pas faire cela.<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Ils_____________\u00e9tudier en regardant la t\u00e9l\u00e9.<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Vous______________retourner sur le campus.<\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Nadine ne__________pas jouer au tennis parce qu\u2019elle n&#8217;a pas de raquette.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"section_9\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"editable\">Activit\u00e9 D<\/h3>\n<p>Transformez avec <strong>devoir<\/strong>. Transform these sentences by replacing <strong>il faut<\/strong> with the verb <strong>devoir<\/strong>. Follow the model.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-indent-1 lt-human-114824\">Mod\u00e8le : Il faut que j\u2019\u00e9coute de la musique. \u2794 Je dois \u00e9couter de la musique.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut que tu manges. \u2794 <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut que je quitte la maison. \u2794 <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut que Marie cherche un appartement. \u2794 <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut que les \u00e9tudiants \u00e9tudient les maths. \u2794 <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut que l\u2019\u00e9cole commence. \u2794 <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut que je visite Paris. \u2794 <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut acheter des cahiers. \u2794 (nous) <span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"lt-human-114824\">Il faut faire les devoirs. \u2794 (vous)<span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Answer Line\">________<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"section_10\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"editable\">On approfondit !<\/h2>\n<div class=\"box-definition\">\n<div class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"box-legend lt-human-104348 editable\"><span class=\"lt-icon-default\">Ressources\u00a0en ligne<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"lt-human-104333\">Use the following resources\u00a0to\u00a0type accents and\/or search for words:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"link-https\" href=\"https:\/\/french.typeit.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener nofollow\">Accents<\/a>:\u00a0\u00e7,\u00a0\u00e0,\u00a0\u00e9,\u00a0\u00e8,\u00a0\u00e2,\u00a0\u00ea,\u00a0\u00ee,\u00a0\u00f4,\u00a0\u00fb,\u00a0\u00f9,\u00a0\u00eb,\u00a0\u00ef,\u00a0\u00fc<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"link-https\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wordreference.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener nofollow\">Dictionnaire<\/a>\u00a0fran\u00e7ais-anglais<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"section_11\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"editable\"><strong>Exercice 1 : le verbe &#8216;savoir&#8217;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/studio.libretexts.org\/h5p\/5728\/embed\">https:\/\/studio.libretexts.org\/h5p\/5728\/embed<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"section_12\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"editable\"><strong>Exercice 2\u00a0: le verbe &#8216;vouloir&#8217;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/studio.libretexts.org\/h5p\/5729\/embed\">https:\/\/studio.libretexts.org\/h5p\/5729\/embed<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"section_13\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"editable\"><strong>Exercice 3\u00a0: le verbe &#8216;pouvoir&#8217;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/studio.libretexts.org\/h5p\/5730\/embed\">https:\/\/studio.libretexts.org\/h5p\/5730\/embed<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"section_14\" class=\"mt-section\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"editable\"><strong>Exercice 4\u00a0: le verbe &#8216;devoir&#8217;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/studio.libretexts.org\/h5p\/5732\/embed\">https:\/\/studio.libretexts.org\/h5p\/5732\/embed<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"mt-content-footer\">\n<hr class=\"autoattribution-divider\" \/>\n<div class=\"autoattribution\">\n<p><a class=\"internal mt-self-link\" href=\"https:\/\/human.libretexts.org\/Bookshelves\/Languages\/French\/French_OER_1_(Carrasco_Zahedi_and_Parrish)\/04%3A_Unite_4_-_Le_temps_et_les_loisirs\/4.11%3A_Structure_-_Les_verbes_modaux_et_la_construction_infinitive\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"internal noopener\">4.11: Structure &#8211; 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