Modal Verbs in the Past in German

This section explains Modal Verbs in the Past in German. The imperfect tense (Präteritum) is used to describe past actions or events, particularly in written German. When it comes to modal verbs in the past, we use the imperfect tense of the modal verb, followed by the infinitive of the main verb.

What Are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs in German are used to express ability, permission, necessity, or desire. The main modal verbs in German are:

• können (can, to be able to)
• müssen (must, to have to)
• dürfen (may, to be allowed to)
• wollen (want, to want to)
• sollen (should, to be supposed to)
• mögen (like, to like)
  • Ich konnte das Buch lesen.
    (I could read the book.)
  • Sie konnte das Problem nicht lösen.
    (She couldn’t solve the problem.)
  • Konntest du das Bild malen?
    (Could you paint the picture?)

Forming the Imperfect of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are irregular in the imperfect tense, so they have special forms. The modal verb is conjugated in the imperfect tense and the main verb stays in the infinitive form.

Imperfect Tense of Modal Verbs:

Structure of Sentences with Modal Verbs in the Past:

Subject + modal verb in the imperfect + main verb in the infinitive.

Example:

In negative sentences, nicht or kein usually follows the modal verb.

Example:

In questions, the modal verb is placed at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the subject and then the main verb in the infinitive.

Example:

Examples with Modal Verbs in the Imperfect Tense:

Positive Sentences:

• Ich konnte gut schwimmen.
  (I could swim well.)
• Du musstest viele Aufgaben machen.
  (You had to do many tasks.)
• Er durfte nicht ins Kino gehen.
  (He was not allowed to go to the cinema.)
• Wir wollten einen Film sehen.
  (We wanted to watch a film.)
• Ihr solltet mehr lernen.
  (You should study more.)
• Sie mochten den Film.
  (They liked the film.)

Negative Sentences:

• Ich konnte nicht kommen.
  (I couldn’t come.)
• Er musste die Arbeit nicht tun.
  (He didn’t have to do the work.)
• Wir durften nicht spielen.
  (We were not allowed to play.)
• Sie wollten nicht helfen.
  (They didn’t want to help.)
• Ihr solltet nicht lügen.
  (You shouldn’t lie.)
• Du mochtest das Geschenk nicht.
  (You didn’t like the gift.)

Questions:

• Konntest du das verstehen?
  (Could you understand that?)
• Musstest du lange warten?
  (Did you have to wait long?)
• Durfte sie das machen?
  (Was she allowed to do that?)
• Wolltet ihr wirklich gehen?
  (Did you really want to go?)
• Sollten wir früher kommen?
  (Should we come earlier?)
• Mochtet ihr die Musik?
  (Did you like the music?)

Foundation Tier Examples:

• Ich konnte nicht schlafen.
  (I couldn’t sleep.)
• Du musstest das Buch lesen.
  (You had to read the book.)
• Er durfte nicht nach draußen gehen.
  (He was not allowed to go outside.)
• Wir wollten früher ankommen.
  (We wanted to arrive earlier.)

Higher Tier Examples:

• Ich konnte die Antwort nicht finden.
  (I couldn’t find the answer.)
• Sie mussten gestern sehr lange arbeiten.
  (They had to work for a very long time yesterday.)
• Wir durften den Film nicht sehen, weil er zu spät war.
  (We weren’t allowed to watch the film because it was too late.)
• Ihr wolltet nicht mit uns kommen.
  (You didn’t want to come with us.)
• Er sollte mehr Deutsch sprechen.
  (He should speak more German.)
• Wir mochten das Geschenk sehr.
  (We liked the gift very much.)

Summary:

• In the imperfect tense, modal verbs are conjugated in the imperfect and followed by the infinitive form of the main verb.
• The modal verb comes first in the sentence, followed by the subject and then the main verb in the infinitive.
• In negative sentences, nicht or kein comes after the modal verb.
• In questions, the modal verb comes at the beginning of the sentence.