Let's review together the Italian Modal Verbs!
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VOLERE - to want to
This modal verbs can be used alone or with an infinitive verb right after.
Let’s look at some examples:
Both sentences are correct and both make it clear what you want to do.
If you use VOLERE + an infinite you are stressing more your desire.
Here is another example (a heart felt wish)
In this case you are expressing a future project that you really hope to accomplish.
You can also use it in a question:
DOVERE - must / have to
This verbs expresses necessity and obligation… a duty!
In this case you are also using it when you want to give a suggestion or you are giving advice. In this case the verb needs to be followed by an infinitive verb.
Let’s look at some examples:
POTERE - can
You will use this verb when you have the possibility to do something or when you are asking for permission to do something. You will need to use an infinitive right after it.
So you can use it to ask permission to do something… for example:
In this last case I’m not asking permission, but i’m asking for a person’s help or i’m asking if I can do something for a person.
This verb form is very commonly used when you want to be very polite… for example:
Use this question to kindly ask for a coffee!
These are the 3 basic modal verbs but on top of these there is actually another verb that can be considered a modal verb. This is the verb SAPERE.
Be careful I’m not using the verb sapere with the meaning of knowing something…let me be more clear:
If I use SAPERE by itself in a sentence like this one:
BUT if I use SAPERE with an infinitive verb the meaning changes and you are actually using it to say that you are able or capable of doing something.
For example:
This sentence means…. Can you play the guitar?
So here I’m asking if you are able to do it… if physically you know how to do it.
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