Modal Irregular IR Verbs
French: AQA GCSE (2025 Exams), topic 4.1.14
Modal Verbs
These verbs follow no set pattern, they are completely irregular. They are called 'modal verbs' because you use them before another verb, for example 'I must go'.
Devoir - to have to, must
- Je dois - I have to, must.
- Tu dois - you (singular) have to, must.
- Il/elle/on doit - he/she/one has to, must.
- Nous devons - we have to, must.
- Vous devez - you (plural/formal) have to, must.
- Ils/elles doivent - they have to, must.
Pouvoir - to be able to, can
- Je peux - I am able to, can.
- Tu peux - you (singular) are able to, can.
- Il/elle/on peut - he/she/one is able to, can.
- Nous pouvons - we are able to, can.
- Vous pouvez - you (plural/formal) are able to, can.
- Ils/elles peuvent - they are able to, can.
Savoir - to know
- Je sais - I know.
- Tu sais - you (singular) know.
- Il/elle/on sait - he/she/one knows.
- Nous savons - we know.
- Vous savez - you (plural/formal) know.
- Ils/elles savent - they know.
Vouloir - to want
- Je veux - I want.
- Tu veux - you (singular) want.
- Il/elle/on veut - he/she/one wants.
- Nous voulons - we want.
- Vous voulez - you (plural/formal) want.
- Ils/elles veulent - they want.
Test yourself on Modal Irregular IR Verbs
Comment dirais-tu 'they are able to' en Français?
How do you say 'we can' in French?