Brain Boost: Present Sentences vs Modal Sentences
Section 4: Reflexive Verbs
2 of 8

Instruction: Modal Verb Conjugation and Sentence Practice

Modal verbs in Spanish are useful for expressing necessity, ability, desire, and preference. They often connect with infinitives to form simple yet meaningful sentences. In this lesson, we will learn how to connect conjugated modal verbs and use them in sentences with infinitives and endings.

Modal Verb Review

At this point, you should know how to conjugate all of the Modal Verbs. If you’d like to review any of them, feel free to click and review them. (Please note that they will open in a new tab so you can easily return to this page which will still be open.)

Modal Verbs

Quiero – I want,  Necesito – I need, *Voy a – I am going to
Puedo – I can, Debo – I must/should, *Tengo que -I have to
Me gusta – I like

* Please note that modal verbs like “voy a” and “tengo que” require an extra word (in red) before adding the infinitive.

Sentence Practice

Now, you can take a word from each column below to create sentences. Take a minute to see the variety of sentences you can create. We’ll practice these in some games coming up next!

Modal Verbs
Yo quiero – I want
Tú quieres – You want
Yo necesito – I need
Tú necesitas – You need
Yo voy a – I am going to
Tú vas a – You are going to
Yo puedo – I can
Tú puedes – You can
Yo debo – I must/should
Tú debes – You must/should
Yo tengo que – I have to
Tú tienes que – You have to
Me gusta – I like
Te gusta – You like
Try other verb conjugations.

+

Infinitives

aprender – to learn
estudiar – to study
bailar – to dance
leer – to read
practicar – to practice
trabajar – to work
hablar – to talk
correr – to run
cantar – to sing
almorzar – to eat
lunch
comenzar – to begin
preparar – to prepare
seguir – to continue/follow
recordar
– to remember

+

Sentence Endings

en la escuela. – at school
todos los días. – every day
con mis amigos. – with my friends
por la noche. – at night
durante el fin de semana. – during the weekend
por la tarde. – in the afternoon
porque es divertido. – because it is fun
en/a casa – at home
en el parque – at the park
en la biblioteca – in the library