German GCSE
Modal Verb
What Modal Verb means in German GCSE, as defined for AQA, Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Modal Verb
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Verbs like können, müssen, wollen, sollen, dürfen, mögen that express ability, necessity, or desire. They send the main infinitive verb to the end of the sentence.
A verb that expresses necessity, possibility, or permission (e.g., müssen, können), which sends the main infinitive to the end of the sentence.
A verb that expresses necessity, possibility, permission, or ability. They modify another verb (the infinitive).
A verb expressing necessity, ability, or permission (können, müssen, sollen, wollen, dürfen, mögen).
Verbs that express ability, permission, desire, or obligation (e.g., wollen, müssen, können).
A verb that expresses necessity, possibility, or permission (e.g., müssen, können, dürfen).
Topics that use Modal Verb
- Theme-based vocabulary (Foundation): Current and future study and employment (AQA GCSE)
- Theme-based vocabulary (Higher): Local, national, international and global areas of interest (AQA GCSE)
- Themes (AQA GCSE)
- Thematic Context: Lifestyle and wellbeing (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Vocabulary: Irregular inflected verb forms (Foundation and Higher) (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Vocabulary: Irregular inflected verb forms (Higher only) (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
- Cognate
- Auxiliary Verb
- False Friend
- Infinitive
- Past Participle
- Perfect Tense
- Subordinating Conjunction
- Adjective Agreement
Using Modal Verb in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
Practise German questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
Start free
All German GCSE terms7 days Premium · Then free forever · No card, no charge