A2grammar
A2 German Grammar: Modal Verbs in the Past
Learn how to use konnte, musste, durfte and wollte to talk about past situations in German.
Explanation
Read first, then practiseModal verbs in the past
German commonly uses modal verbs in the simple past when speaking about past ability, necessity, permission or intention. The most useful forms are konnte (could), musste (had to), durfte (was allowed to) and wollte (wanted to).
The modal verb is conjugated in position two and the other verb stays in the infinitive at the end: Ich musste lange arbeiten. The plural forms include konnten, mussten, durften and wollten.
Exercise 1: Choose the modal form
Choose the correct past-tense modal verb.
1
Yesterday I had to work: Gestern ___ ich arbeiten.
2
As a child, she could swim well: Als Kind ___ sie gut schwimmen.
3
We were allowed to stay longer: Wir ___ länger bleiben.
4
Paul wanted to buy a bicycle: Paul ___ ein Fahrrad kaufen.
5
You had to get up early: Du ___ früh aufstehen.
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