These example sentences show the modal verb functioning as the full verb:.

Note that English grammar does not offer such a possibility of using modal verbs in this way: Here, there are two possibilities, although the distinction between the role as the main verb and elliptical use is not always clear. In contrast to the general rule of usage, it is sometimes possible for modal verbs to appear without the infinitive of a full verb – that means as the only verb in a sentence.

„ Magst du mein Risotto probieren?“ (Would you like to try my risotto?).

„Ich will den Film schon noch sehen.“ (I still want to see the film.).„Hunde müssen draußen bleiben.“ (Dogs must stay outside.).„ Darf ich Sie was fragen?“ (May I ask you something?).„Petra soll heute noch zurückrufen.“ (Petra is supposed to call back today.).„Marius kann sehr gut Gitarre spielen.“ (Marius can play the guitar very well.).The preposition ‘zu’ is not utilized with modals although it is typical for other occurrences of infinitives: In a sentence, modal verbs appear as follows combined with the infinitive of the present full verb.können (can), wollen (want/would), sollen (should), mögen (want), dürfen (be allowed to), müssen (must).The German language knows the following six modal verbs:.Furthermore, it is neither possible to construct the passive voice nor an imperative with modals. Note that this main verb must be in its infinitive (unconjugated) form and that no ‘zu’ (to) is used. In the vast majority of cases, they cannot stand alone (as the only verb) in a sentence and form a multi-part predicate together with the respective main verb.

Modal verbs, also called modal auxiliaries (in German: Modalverben), are verbs that modify the relationship between subject and predicate and, thus, determine the grammatical mood.

What are modals