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The
Italian verbs dovere
(to have to, must), potere
(can, to be able to) and volere
(to want) are called modal verbs (verbi
modali).
These
verbs are irregular, so they don't follow the rule we studied to form
the present tense. This is how they are conjugated in the
present tense.
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The
verb dovere is
used to express an obligation.
- Gli studenti devono studiare per l'esame. (Students must study for the exam)
- Giacomo deve finire i compiti. (Giacomo has to finish his homework)
- Devi tornare a casa presto, altrimenti i tuoi genitori si arrabbiano. (You have to come home soon, otherwise your parents will get angry)
The
verb potere is used to express an ability and ask for a permission.
- Posso nuotare per due ore. (I can swim for two hours)
- Possiamo aprire la finestra, per favore? (Can we open the window, please?)
The
verb volere is
used to express a wish/project.
- Marco vuole comprare una macchina nuova. (Marco wants to buy a new car)
- Voglio andare al ristorante stasera. (I want to go to the restaurant tonight)
As
you have noticed these verbs usually are followed by another verb in
the infinitive form but they can also be used alone.
- Io e Laura andiamo al mare. Venite con noi? Ci dispiace, ma non possiamo. (Laura and I are going to the beach. Do you come with us? We are sorry, but we can't)
The
verb volere can be followed also by an object.
- Voglio un caffè. (I want a coffe)