Subjective Use of Modal Verbs

Basic Forms of Wollen She wants to read the novel Sie will den Roman lesen She wanted to read the novel Sie wollte den Roman lesen She would want to read the novel Sie wollte den Roman lesen She did want to read the novel Sie hat den Roman lesen wollen She would have wanted to read the novel Sie hätte den Roman lesen wollen

Basic Forms of Sollen She is obliged to read the novel Sie soll den Roman lesen She was obliged to read the novel Sie sollte den Roman lesen She would be obliged to read the novel Sie sollte den Roman lesen She has been obliged to read the novel Sie hat den Roman lesen sollen She would have been obliged to read the novel Sie hätte den Roman lesen sollen

Basic Forms of Können She is able to read the novel Sie kann den Roman lesen She was able to read the novel Sie konnte den Roman lesen She would be able to read the novel Sie könnte den Roman lesen She has been able to read the novel Sie hat den Roman lesen können She would have been able to read the novel Sie hätte den Roman lesen können

Basic Forms of Müssen She has to read the novel Sie muß den Roman lesen She had to read the novel Sie mußte den Roman lesen She would have to read the novel Sie müßte den Roman lesen She did have to read the novel Sie hat den Roman lesen müssen She would have had to read the novel Sie hätte den Roman lesen müssen

Advanced Forms of Modals The novel has to be read Der Roman muß gelesen werden The novel had to be read Der Roman mußte gelesen werden The novel would have to be read Der Roman müßte gelesen werden The novel would have had to be read Der Roman hätte gelesen werden müssen

Subjective Forms of Modals She did have to read the novel Sie hat den Roman lesen müssen She really must have read the novel (Im quite certain!) Sie muß den Roman gelesen haben! She has been able to read the novel Sie hat den Roman lesen können She can possibly have read the novel (I have no proof, but it is quite possible)) Sie kann den Roman gelesen haben

Subjective Forms of Modals She did want to read the novel Sie hat den Roman lesen wollen She claims that she has read the novel (hm … I wonder) Sie will den Roman gelesen haben She has been obliged to read the novel Sie hat den Roman lesen sollen People say that she has read the novel (maybe they know something I dont) Sie soll den Roman gelesen haben

Be careful! Passive Voice Der Roman muß gelesen werden The novel must be read Modal + participle + werden Subjective Usage Sie muss den Roman gelesen haben She certainly must have read the novel Modal + participle + haben/sein

Summary: Modal Verbs Normal UsageSubjective Usage WollenWant toClaim to SollenOught toPeople say that MüssenHave toReally Must KönnenBe able toCan possibly

Summary: Modal Verbs Normal UsageSubjective Usage MODAL + InfinitiveMODAL + Participle + Infinitive (haben/sein)