The modal verbs in the subjunctive in Italian

Learn how to use The modal verbs in the subjunctive with examples.
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The modal verbs in the subjunctive

Reminder: the modal verbs are potere (can, to be able to), dovere (must, to have to), volere (to want to) and sapere (to know how to). They are generally used in their conjugated forms and are followed by another verb in the infinitive.

Toni sa suonare il piano.

Toni knows how to play the piano.

In the subjunctive, the four modal verbs are conjugated like this:

Potere
Io possa
Tu possa
Lui/lei possa
Noi possiamo
Voi possiate
Loro possano
Dovere
Io debba/deva
Tu debba/deva
Lui/lei debba/deva
Noi dobbiamo
Voi dobbiate
Loro debbano/devano
Volere
Io voglia
Tu voglia
Lui/lei voglia
Noi vogliamo
Voi vogliate
Loro vogliano
Sapere
Io sappia
Tu sappia
Lui/lei sappia
Noi sappiamo
Voi sappiate
Loro sappiano

Non credo che Carlotta sappia cucinare.

I don't think that Carlotta knows how to cook.

Spero che tu voglia andare al cinema.

I hope that you want to go to the cinema.


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