Modal Verbs Flashcards

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1
Q

Can - meaning “to be capable of” (1)

I can do it.

Can you help us?

A
  • Pouvoir* in the indicatif présent
  • Je peux le faire.*
  • Pouvez-vous nous aider?*
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2
Q

Could - with a present or future meaning (1)

He could be right.

I could drive tomorrow.

A
  • Pouvoir* in the conditionnel présent
  • Il pourrait avoir raison.*
  • Je pourrais conduire demain.*
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3
Q

Could - in the past (1)

When I was 15, I could sleep until noon.

He could eat a whole cake.

A
  • Pouvoir* in the indicatif imparfait
  • Quand j’avais 15 ans, je pouvais dormir jusqu’à midi.*
  • Il pouvait manger un gâteau entier.*
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4
Q

May or might - meaning “it’s possible” (3)

I may/might leave early.

He may/might be right.

A
  • Peut-être, pouvoir* (indicatif présent or conditionnel présent), or il se peut + subjonctif
  • Je pars tôt, peut-être.*
  • Je peux/pourrais partir tôt.*
  • Il se peut que je parte tôt.*
  • Il a peut-être raison.*

Il peut/pourrait avoir raison.
Il se peut qu’il ait raison.

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5
Q

May - in a request (2)

May I help you?

May I sit here?

A
  • Pouvoir* in the indicatif présent or vous permettez que plus the subjonctif présent
  • Puis-je vous aider?*
  • Est-ce que je peux vous aider?*
  • Vous permettez que je m’assoie ici?*
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6
Q

Must (2)

You must finish.

I must be going.

A
  • Indicatif présent* of devoir, or falloir followed by que and the subjonctif présent
  • Tu dois finir.*
  • Il faut que je m’en aille.*
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7
Q

Shall/will + verb (1)

We shall overcome!

I’ll finish around 2pm.

A
  • Indicatif futur*
  • Nous vaincrons!*
  • Je finirai vers 14h.*
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8
Q

Should/ought to (1)

You should study more.

We ought to try once more.

A
  • Devoir* in the conditionnel présent
  • Tu devrais étudier plus.*
  • Nous devrions essayer encore une fois.*
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9
Q

Would - with a present or future meaning (1)

I would like to see it.

You would get sick if you ate all that.

A
  • Conditionnel présent*
  • Je voudrais le voir.*
  • Tu tomberais malade si tu mangeais tout ça.*
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10
Q

Would - in the past (1)

When I was hungry, I would drink water.

She would call when she was scared.

A
  • Indicatif imparfait*
  • Quand j’avais faim, je buvais de l’eau.*
  • Elle téléphonait quand elle avait peur.*
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11
Q

Could have (1)

He could have been right.

I could have driven there.

A
  • Pouvoir* in the conditionnel passé
  • Il aurait pu avoir raison.*
  • J’aurais pu y conduire.*
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12
Q

May have/might have (2)

I may/might have left too early.

She may/might have been right.

A

Peut-être with indicatif passé composé or imparfait, or il se peut + subjonctif passé

Je suis parti trop tôt, peut-être.
Il se peut que je sois parti trop tôt.

Elle avait peut-être raison.
Il se peut qu’elle ait eu raison.

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13
Q

Must have (1)

He must have forgotten.

I must have tripped.

A
  • Devoir* in the passé composé
  • Il a dû oublier.*
  • J’ai dû trébucher.*
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14
Q

Shall have/will have (1)

We shall have overcome!

I’ll have left by 2pm.

A
  • Futur antérieur*
  • Nous aurons vaincu!*
  • Je serai parti avant 14h.*
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15
Q

Should have (1)

You should have studied more.

We should have tried again.

A
  • Devoir* in conditionnel passé
  • Tu aurais dû étudier plus.*
  • Nous aurions dû essayer encore une fois.*
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16
Q

Would have (1)

I would have liked to see it.

You would have gotten sick.

A
  • Conditionnel passé*
  • J’aurais aimé le voir.*
  • Tu serais tombé malade.*