Modal verbs in the present tense
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that we use before a verb in its infinitive form. They indicate the way (possibility, obligation or desire) in which a particular action can or will take place.
Carlo può uscire stasera.
Carlo can go out this evening.
Anna deve lavorare tutta la notte.
Anna must work all night.
Here is the present tense of the four modal verbs, potere (to be able to), dovere (to have to), volere (to want to) and sapere (to know how to):
Tu puoi
Lui/lei può
Noi possiamo
Voi potete
Loro possono
Tu devi
Lui/lei deve
Noi dobbiamo
Voi dovete
Loro devono/debbono
Tu vuoi
Lui/lei vuole
Noi vogliamo
Voi volete
Loro vogliono
Tu sai
Lui/lei sa
Noi sappiamo
Voi sapete
Loro sanno
Loro vogliono andare in vacanza al Baldoria.
They want to go on vacation to the Baldoria.
Carlotta non sa cucinare bene le scarpe.
Carlotta doesn't know how to cook shoes well.
Note: these conjugations are all irregular.
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