Modal verbs (in Italian, verbi modali or verbi servili) are a fundamental part of Italian grammar. They are “helper” verbs that express the mode or attitude of the speaker towards the main action.
The core idea:
Think of them as adding a layer of meaning – like possibility, necessity, or desire – to another verb. They are always followed directly by an infinitive verb (without a preposition).
- Possibility: Paolo può andare. (Paul can go.)
- Necessity: Paolo deve andare. (Paul has to go.)
- Desire: Paolo vuole andare. (Paul wants to go.)
Structure: Modal Verb + Infinitive.
- Devo lavorare. (I must work.)
- Posso aiutarti? (Can I help you?)
The Three Primary Modal Verbs
These are the most common and essential modal verbs.
| Italian verb | Core concept |
| Dovere must/should/to have to | Necessity, Obligation, or Probability |
| Potere can,to be able to,may | Possibility, Ability, or Permission |
| Volere To want | Will, Desire, or Intention |
- Devo studiare. (I must study.) Obligation
- Deve essere stanco. (He must be tired.) Probability
- Posso uscire? (May I go out?.) Permission
- Può piovere. (It could rain.) Possibility
- Voglio un gelato. (I want an ice cream.) Desire
- Voglio imparare. (I want to learn.) Intention
How to conjugate modal verbs in the present tense
Modal verbs are irregular, but they follow a similar pattern. Here is their conjugation in the present tense:
| Dovere | Potere | Volere |
| Devo Devi Deve Dobbiamo Dovete Devono | Posso Puoi Può Possiamo Potete Possono | Voglio Vuoi Vuole Vogliamo Volete Vogliono |
Other “Modal-like” Verbs
Some other verbs can function similarly to modals by being followed directly by an infinitive:
- Sapere (to know how to) indicates skill/ability
- Preferire (to prefer.)
- Desiderare (to desire.)
- So guidare. (I know how to drive.)
- Preferisco stare a casa. (I prefer to stay at home.)
- Desidero parlare. (I desire to speak.)
Modal verbs with auxiliary verbs
In compound tenses (like the passato prossimo), you can use either avere (to have) or essere (to be) as the auxiliary verb with a modal verb. The choice depends on the verb that follows.
Use AVERE (avere + past participle): If the main verb is transitive and would use avere.
- Ho dovuto comprare il pane. (I had to buy the bread.) – Comprare is transitive.
- Abbiamo voluto mangiare una pizza. (We wanted to eat a pizza.) – Mangiare is transitive.
Use ESSERE (essere + past participle): If the main verb is intransitive and would use essere.
- Sono potuta andare a casa. (I was able to go home.) – Andare uses essere.
- Si sono voluti vestire. (They wanted to get dressed.) – Vestirsi is reflexive and uses essere.
When the modal verb is followed by the verb essere, the auxiliary is always avere:
- Ho dovuto essere coraggioso
- I had to be brave
- Ha voluto essere la più famosa
- She wanted to be the most famous
When the infinitive is followed by an unstressed pronoun (mi, si, ti, ci, vi) it is necessary to use essere if the pronoun is before the infinitive, and avere if the pronoun is after the infinitive.
- Non si sono voluti lavare
- Non hanno voluto lavarsi
- They didn’t want to wash