New
New
Year 11
AQA

On peut acheter : present tense modal verbs

Learning outcomes

I can use modals in the present tense to describe what we can, want and must do on a shopping trip.

I can recognise, write and pronounce [-aill-/-ail-]

New
New
Year 11
AQA

On peut acheter : present tense modal verbs

Learning outcomes

I can use modals in the present tense to describe what we can, want and must do on a shopping trip.

I can recognise, write and pronounce [-aill-/-ail-]

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Lesson details

Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

Key learning points

  1. To talk about what you can, know, have to, or want to do, use modal verbs: pouvoir, savoir, devoir, vouloir.
  2. Modal verbs are usually followed by an infinitive.
  3. [-ill-/-ille] is pronounced as in 'fille', [-aill-/-ail] is pronounced as in 'taille'.

Keywords

  • Modal verb - verb of necessity or possibility used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive e.g. must, can, want

Common misconception

There is a French verb 'to can'.

The English idea of 'can' is translated in French by the verb 'pouvoir' meaning 'to be able to'.


To help you plan your year 11 french lesson on: On peut acheter : present tense modal verbs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Teachers might adapt task A1 by freezing the whiteboard and calling out the English verbs to the class instead of clicking through the slides. B2 has two versions. Option 2 gives extra support by including the first letter of some words in the task. Option 1 only is filmed.
Teacher tip

Equipment

A printed copy of task A1 (two slides to one sheet) per pair. Students require a pen of a different colour. Mini whiteboards and pens are also useful, if available.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the modal verbs to their meanings
Correct Answer:vouloir,to want

to want

Correct Answer:pouvoir,to be able to, can

to be able to, can

Correct Answer:savoir,to know

to know

Correct Answer:devoir,to have to, must

to have to, must

Q2.
Which of the following are the correct translations of 'Je peux'?
I must
I have to
Correct answer: I can
I want to
Correct answer: I am able to
Q3.
Put the words in order to say, 'I haven't finished yet'.
1 - je
2 - n'
3 - ai
4 - pas
5 - encore
6 - fini
Q4.
How do you say 'I do horse riding' in French?
Je fais de la natation
Correct answer: Je fais de l'équitation
Il fait de la natation
Elle fait de l'équitation
Q5.
The English idea of 'can' is translated in French by the verb meaning 'to be able to'.
vouloir
devoir
savoir
Correct answer: pouvoir
Q6.
Match the verbs. They are all in the conditional tense.
Correct Answer:il / elle / on aurait,he / she / we would have

he / she / we would have

Correct Answer:il / elle / on ferait,he / she / we would do

he / she / we would do

Correct Answer:il / elle / on serait,he / she / we would be

he / she / we would be

Correct Answer:il / elle / on irait,he / she / we would go

he / she / we would go

6 Questions

Q1.
Modal verbs are usually followed by an verb.
Correct Answer: infinitive, Infinitive, infinitive., Infinitive.
Q2.
Finish the sentence with the correct form of the verb. Je veux
paye
Correct answer: payer
payerai
payé
Q3.
Match the forms of the verb 'devoir'.
Correct Answer:Je / Tu,dois

dois

Correct Answer:Il / Elle,doit

doit

Correct Answer:Nous,devons

devons

Correct Answer:Vous,devez

devez

Correct Answer:Ils / Elles,doivent

doivent

Q4.
Put the words in the correct order to say that you can't swim.
1 - je
2 - ne
3 - sais
4 - pas
5 - nager
Q5.
What is 'un pantalon de marque'?
a pair of trousers
a mark on your trousers
Correct answer: a pair of designer trousers
Q6.
In terms of pronunciation, which is the odd one out?
famille
fille
cheville
Correct answer: taille

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