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New
New
Year 10
AQA

Un travail bien fait : modal verbs in present tense

Learning outcomes

I can use four modal verbs in the context of the working world.

I can recognise, write and pronounce [eu], [oi] and [ou].

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
AQA

Un travail bien fait : modal verbs in present tense

Learning outcomes

I can use four modal verbs in the context of the working world.

I can recognise, write and pronounce [eu], [oi] and [ou].

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Lesson details

Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

Key learning points

  1. [eu] is pronounced as in 'deux', [oi] as in 'voir', and [ou] as in 'nous'.
  2. To talk about what you can, know how to, have to, or want to do, use modal verbs: pouvoir, savoir, devoir, vouloir.
  3. If modal verbs are followed by another verb it must be in the infinitive form.
  4. Use 'pouvoir' to talk about ability or permission; use 'savoir' to talk about skills or things you have learned to do.

Keywords

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

Common misconception

'Devoir' (must) and 'pouvoir' (can) do not require the second verb to be in the infinitive form because an infinitive is not required in English.

'Devoir' means to have (to) and 'pouvoir' means to be able. Therefore, when followed by a second verb, this verb must always be in the infinitive form.

Some practice tasks have two versions, Option 1 and Option 2. Option 1 tasks are aimed at the majority of pupils. Option 2 tasks are aimed at students who may require additional support to access the task.
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Teacher tip
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Equipment

Mini whiteboard and pen, if available, would be useful.

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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 with their English meanings.
Correct Answer:vouloir,to want, wanting
tick

to want, wanting

Correct Answer:pouvoir,to be able, being able
tick

to be able, being able

Correct Answer:devoir,to have to, having to
tick

to have to, having to

Correct Answer:savoir,to know how, knowing how
tick

to know how, knowing how

Q2.
Put the words in order to make this sentence: I want an ice-cream please.
1 - je
2 - veux
3 - une
4 - glace
5 - s'il
6 - te
7 - plaît
Q3.
Which word is missing from this sentence? 'Je réaliser mon rêve !' I have to achieve my dream
Correct Answer: dois
Q4.
Which is the correct verb form to translate 'I know how'? Je ...
dois
veux
Correct answer: sais
peux
Q5.
Which words are missing here? ' aller en ville avec toi aujourd'hui.' I can go to town with you today.
Correct Answer: Je peux
Q6.
Which word best fits the sentence? 'Je veux un nouveau portable ce week-end.'
acheté
achète
Correct answer: acheter
achetais
achètes

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the English words with the correct Sound Symbol Correspondence, based on how they are pronounced in French.
Correct Answer:job,[oi]
tick

[oi]

Correct Answer:contest,[ou]
tick

[ou]

Correct Answer:test,[eu]
tick

[eu]

Q2.
Match the French words, phrases with their English meanings.
Correct Answer:pouvoir,to be able
tick

to be able

Correct Answer:je dois,I must
tick

I must

Correct Answer:savoir,to know how
tick

to know how

Correct Answer:je veux,I want
tick

I want

Correct Answer:je sais,I know how
tick

I know how

Correct Answer:je peux,I can
tick

I can

Q3.
Which is the correct verb for saying that you can drive a car, 'pouvoir' or 'savoir'?
Correct Answer: savoir
Q4.
Put the words in order to make this sentence: I must visit Madagascar one day.
1 - je
2 - dois
3 - visiter
4 - le
5 - Madagascar
6 - un
7 - jour
Q5.
Which word is missing in this sentence? 'Je peux probablement à la soirée demain.' I can probably go to the party tomorrow.
Correct Answer: aller
Q6.
In English, a second verb commonly follows the words can and must e.g. I can go, I must find. Which form should the second verb take in French?
past participle
auxiliary verb
Correct answer: infinitive
present participle
gerund

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