French Notes

These three verbs have two things in common and are grouped together because they follow the same rules.
1. They are stem changers – the root changes its spelling in the je, tu, il, ils forms
2. They are used with another verb (either in the sentence or implied)

*remember that when negating these sentences, the negation goes around the pouvoir, devoir, vouloir*
*remember, you are conjugating the verb you do and you leave the second verb as an infinitive*

pouvoir – to be able to, to can

Remember, you are conjugating the verb you do and you leave the second verb as an infinitive

I can dance – Je peux danser
We can go out – Nous pouvons sortir
You can’t watch tv – Tu ne peux pas regarder la télé
I can’t talk because I have a sore throat – Je ne peux pas parler parce que j’ai mal à la gorge

vouloir – to want

Je veux aller à la plage – I want to go to the beach
Ils veulent vendre leur voiture rouge – They want to sell their red car
Elle ne veut pas manger les haricots verts – She doesn’t want to eat the green beans
Vous ne voulez pas perdre votre voiture dans la forêt – You don’t want to lose your car in the forest

devoir – to have to, to must 

Tu dois étudier!! You have to study!!
Je ne peux pas sortir ce soir parce que je dois finir mes devoirs – I can’t go out tonight because I have to finish my homework
Les étudiants doivent obéir aux régles – The students must obey the rules
Nous ne devons pas enlever cet arbre – We must not remove this tree
Les étudiants ne doivent pas oublier leurs livres – The students must not forget their books