Modal verbs dovere, potere, and volere
Three very frequently used verbs in the second conjugation (-ere) are dovere (to have to, must), potere (to be able to, can, may), and volere (to want). These verbs are called “modal” verbs and they can take on different meanings depending on the tense. Today we will look at them in the indicativo presente. These verbs are generally followed by a verb in its infinitive form. They are conjugated as follows.
dovere | potere | volere | |
| io | devo | posso | voglio |
| tu | devi | puoi | vuoi |
| lui/lei/Lei | deve | può | vuole |
| noi | dobbiamo | possiamo | vogliamo |
| voi | dovete | potete | volete |
| loro | devono/debbono | possono | vogliono |
In the following example sentences note the use of the infinitive verb after the conjugated verb.
Non potete venire con noi! Vogliamo andare da soli!
You can’t come with us! We want to go alone!
Sta a te: puoi credere di farcela o credere di non farcela.
It’s up to you: you can believe you can do it or believe that you can’t do it.
Voglio cenare con lui e sua moglie.
I want to have dinner with him and his wife.
Dobbiamo pulire la casa oggi--è molto sporca!
We have to clean the house today--it is very dirty!
Cosa vuoi dire?
What do you want to say?
Ti voglio bene.
I love you.