The Modal Verbs

There are three verbs called “modal verbs” which you will meet very frequently; learn them thoroughly because they have very basic meanings and you will want to use them in speaking and writing. They are the verbs:

• potere  = to be able; can
• dovere = to have to ; must
• volere  = to want

These verbs are followed by an infinitive verb without any linking preposition.

We'll look at the verbs individually

1. potere = to be able; can. Here is the scheme of its tenses; the present tense is irregular and is written out in full; you should be able to complete the other tenses if you are given the First Person. The present subjunctive is also irregular:

Exercise 1. Translate into English. — These sentences require a knowledge of all the tenses, and the subjunctive.

1. Non posso fare ciò che mi chiedi.
2. Non ho potuto finire l'esercizio.
3. Alla fine degli esami, Marco potrà rilassarsi.
4. Forse qualcuno più giovane potrebbe aiutare.
5. Quando era studente, poteva uscire a divertirsi tutte le sere.
6. Se mi telefoni domani, è possibile che ti possa dare un risposta.
7. Potrei usare questa macchina, ma preferirei un'altra.
8. Se Maria avesse potuto scegliere, avrebbe fatto una carriera diversa.
9. Avrei potuto andare alla festa, ma ho deciso di stare a casa.
10. Sì, Marco avrebbe potuto accompagnarci, ma vuole andare da solo.

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The conditional mood of this verb translates the English "could" when you mean something like "I could go, but I don't want to."
The past conditional translates the English "could have" , e.g. "I could have gone, but I didn't want to."

Use this information to help you translate the following sentences into Italian.

Exercise 2. Translate into Italian:

1. He can speak Italian very well.
2. I have never been able to understand French.
3. During the holidays I shall be able to sleep all day.
4. When they were children, they were able to understand English.
5. I can't eat much.
6. I used to be able to play the piano years ago.
7. Adriana could come with us but she prefers to go out with her boyfried.
8. I could have danced all night.
9. We could have taken a taxi.
10. If I could have gone, I would have enjoyed myself.

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2. dovere = to be have to; must; ought to. Here is the scheme of its tenses; the present tense is irregular and is written out in full; you should be able to complete the other tenses if you are given the First Person. The present subjunctive is also irregular:

N.B. The conditional of this verb translates the English "ought" or "should"; the past conditional translates the English "ought to have ..." or "should have"

Exercise 3. Translate into English. — These sentences require a knowledge of all the tenses, and the subjunctive.

1. Devo partire subito, ho fretta.
2. Purtroppo dovrete fare l'esercizio di nuovo.
3. Quando ero piccolo, dovevo imparare a suonare il violino.
4. Daniela non è venuta; ha dovuto andare all'ospedale.
5. Dobbiamo comprare i biglietti prima di salire in autobus.
6. L'insegnante dice che Franco dovrebbe passare gli esami facilmente.
7. L'insegnante dice che Franco avrebbe dovuto passare gli esami facilmente.
8. I tuoi genitori avrebbero dovuto educarti meglio.
9. E' probabile che tu debba rifare l'esame.
10. Se io avessi dovuto prendere soldi in prestito, non avrei potuto andare all'università.

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Exercise 4. Translate into Italian.— These sentences get progressively more difficult.

1. I must finish this work.
2. I shall have to listen more attentively.
3. Unfortunately Maria's sister has had to cancel her holiday.
4. In primary school we used to have to wear short trousers.
5. I often had to stay at home because I didn't have any money.
6. It ought to be quite easy.
7. The doctor says that I should try to relax.
8. The students should have finished the course by now.
9. It is possible that Angela must pay the fine, if she can't find the ticket.
10. If my father had had to emigrate, he would have gone to America.

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3. volere = to want. Here is the scheme of its tenses; the present tense is irregular and is written out in full; you should be able to complete the other tenses if you are given the First Person. The present subjunctive is also irregular:

Exercise 5. Translate into English. — These sentences require a knowledge of all the tenses, and the subjunctive.

1. Gina non vuole accompagnarci.
2. Quando ero piccolo,volevo avere un bicicletta.
3. So che non hai fame adesso, ma forse vorrai qualcosa più tardi.
4. Vorrei chiederti qualcosa.
5. Noi tutti vorremmo più soldi e più tempo libero.
6. Cosa vorresti vedere a Pisa?
7. Avrei voluto comprarti qualcosa, ma non avevo i soldi.
8. Forse il tuo amico vorrebbe che tu lo invitasse alla festa.
9. Era possibile che i tuoi amici volessero andarci senza di te.
10. Se io avessi voluto imparare la grammatica, ne avrei comprato un libro.

Exercise 6. Translate into Italian.

1. I want to telephone him.
2. I was not wanting to disturb you.
3. When they were little, they wanted to have a pet.
4. My cousin would like to go on holiday with me.
5. I had never wanted to work in an office.
6. My mother would have liked a bigger house.
7. My parents don't want me to go on holiday with my friends.
8. Our teacher would like us to finish this for tomorrow.
9. It seemed that Carla wanted a more interesting job.
10. If I had wanted to study medicine, the course would have lasted six years.

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