Key learning points

1. Modal verbs are always followed by a 2nd infinitive verb which normally comes at the end of the sentence.
2. Modal verbs are irregular in the first, 2nd and 3rd person singular, but regular in plural forms.
3. Modal verbs are mostly used in the imperfect tense when they describe past events. Remove any umlauts in the imperfect.
4. The imperfect tense endings for modal verbs (-te, -test, -te. -ten, -tet, -ten) are the same as for weak verbs.
5. When performing a role-play, answers should be a short phrase or sentence. Do not add unnecessary detail.

Keywords

• Modal verb - verb of necessity or possibility (must, can, want) used with a 2nd verb in infinitive, which goes to the end

• Imperfect tense - German single-word past tense used mainly to narrate past events in writing, e.g. 'war', 'hatte', 'gab', 'fand'

Common misconception