Vouloir, Pouvoir, Devoir
Lesson | Test
To want, to be able to, to have to.
It is absolutely essential to understand and be able to use these three irregular French verbs, as they are very common as well as useful. They are often taught together because of the similarities in the conjugations of vouloir and pouvoir and the uses of pouvoir and devoir.
Vouloir means to want:
| Je veux danser avec toi. | I want to dance with you. |
| Voulez-vous parler ? | Do you wish to speak? |
Uses of vouloir
Conjugations for vouloir
Pouvoir means to be able to or can:
| Il peut le faire. | He can do it. |
| Nous ne pouvons pas sortir. | We can't go out. |
Uses of pouvoir
Conjugations for pouvoir
Devoir means to have to or must:
| Dois-tu étudier ce soir ? | Do you have to study tonight? |
| Elles doivent manger. | They have to eat. |
Uses of devoir
Conjugations for devoir
| Test on vouloir, pouvoir, devoir |
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