A2 · Elementary Chapter 10

Rules, Wishes, and Advice

4 Total Rules
43 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of expressing wishes, rules, and advice using German modal verbs.

  • Construct sentences using modal verbs without the particle 'zu'.
  • Express personal desires and plans using 'wollen'.
  • Navigate permissions and advice using 'dürfen' and 'sollen'.
Speak with purpose: express wishes, rules, and advice.

What You'll Learn

Hey, ready to unlock some super useful German? You already know the basics, and now we're going to take your speaking skills up a notch! In this chapter, 'Rules, Wishes, and Advice,' you'll dive into the world of German modal verbs. Specifically, you'll master how to use *wollen*, *dürfen*, and *sollen* like a native speaker. Ever wanted to say

I really want to visit the Brandenburg Gate!
or
Can I sit here?
or
You should definitely try this currywurst!
? This chapter is your key! We'll show you the magic trick of dropping 'zu' after these modal verbs and how they always send the main action verb to the very end of the sentence – it's a pattern you'll quickly get the hang of. You'll learn how *wollen* helps you express your firmest plans and desires, even noticing its cool little vowel change in the singular form. Then, *dürfen* will empower you to talk about permissions and what's allowed (or strictly *nicht dürfen*, what's forbidden!), which is super handy when you're navigating new places or asking for something politely. Finally, *sollen* will become your go-to for giving friendly advice, recommendations, or gently relaying instructions from others without sounding bossy. By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to articulate your wishes, understand rules, and offer advice confidently, making your German conversations much more dynamic and natural!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use modal verbs to correctly place the infinitive verb at the end of a sentence.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Hey there, amazing A2 German learner! Ready to supercharge your conversational skills? You've already built a solid foundation, and now it's time to unlock some truly powerful ways to express yourself in German. This chapter, "Rules, Wishes, and Advice," is your key to doing just that. We're diving deep into some incredibly useful German grammar A2 topics, focusing on three essential modal verbs: wollen, dürfen, and sollen.
These verbs are absolute game-changers because they let you talk about what you *want* to do, what you *are allowed* to do, and what you *should* do. Imagine being able to confidently say, "I want to visit the Brandenburg Gate!" or politely ask, "May I sit here?" or even offer a friendly recommendation like, "You should definitely try this Currywurst!" By mastering these verbs, your German will sound much more natural and dynamic, moving you closer to fluent communication. Understanding these common structures is a crucial step in your German language learning journey, making everyday interactions smoother and more effective.
You'll quickly get the hang of how these modal verbs work their magic on sentence structure, sending the main action verb to the very end. This pattern is a fundamental aspect of German sentence structure that you'll encounter again and again. So, let's get started and make your German more expressive and precise!

How This Grammar Works

At the heart of this chapter are three important modal verbs: wollen, dürfen, and sollen. Modal verbs in German are special because they always work with another verb, which expresses the main action. The coolest trick they perform is sending that main action verb (in its infinitive form) all the way to the end of the sentence. Plus, there's a golden rule: you *never* use zu before the infinitive verb when a modal verb is present! This applies to all modal verbs, including können (to be able to), müssen (to have to), and mögen (to like), which you might have already encountered.
No 'zu' After Modal Verbs
This is a straightforward rule: when you use a modal verb, you simply drop zu before the second verb.
* ✗ Ich will zu essen. (I want to eat.)
* ✓ Ich will essen. (I want to eat.)
* ✗ Du sollst zu lernen. (You should learn.)
* ✓ Du sollst lernen. (You should learn.)
Wanting and Planning: The Verb 'wollen'
Wollen expresses a strong desire or a firm intention – what you *really* want to do. It's more direct than möchten (would like to). Pay attention to its singular conjugations, which have a vowel change:
* Ich will (I want)
* Du willst (You want)
* Er/Sie/Es will (He/She/It wants)
* Wir wollen (We want)
* Ihr wollt (You all want)
* Sie/sie wollen (They/You (formal) want)
* Example: Ich will nach Berlin fahren. (I want to drive to Berlin.)
* Example: Was wollt ihr heute Abend machen? (What do you all want to do tonight?)
The Modal Verb dürfen: Permissions & Rules
Dürfen is all about permission and what is allowed or forbidden. It’s perfect for asking politely or stating rules.
* Ich darf (I am allowed to)
* Du darfst (You are allowed to)
* Er/Sie/Es darf (He/She/It is allowed to)
* Wir dürfen (We are allowed to)
* Ihr dürft (You all are allowed to)
* Sie/sie dürfen (They/You (formal) are allowed to)
* Example: Darf ich hier sitzen? (May I sit here?)
* Example: Hier darf man nicht rauchen. (One is not allowed to smoke here.)
Giving Advice and Following Orders (sollen)
Sollen is used for giving advice, making recommendations, or relaying instructions or obligations from someone else (without necessarily being a strict command). It's softer than müssen (to have to).
* Ich soll (I should/am supposed to)
* Du sollst (You should/are supposed to)
* Er/Sie/Es soll (He/She/It should/is supposed to)
* Wir sollen (We should/are supposed to)
* Ihr sollt (You all should/are supposed to)
* Sie/sie sollen (They/You (formal) should/are supposed to)
* Example: Du sollst mehr Wasser trinken. (You should drink more water.)
* Example: Meine Mutter sagt, ich soll meine Hausaufgaben machen. (My mother says I should do my homework.)

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Ich will zu gehen.
✓ Ich will gehen. (I want to go.)
*Explanation:* Remember, modal verbs like wollen, dürfen, and sollen are special – they *never* take zu before the infinitive verb that follows them.
  1. 1✗ Du sollst das Buch lesen.
✓ Du sollst das Buch lesen. (You should read the book.)
*Explanation:* While the example sentence is grammatically correct as is, a common mistake is placing the main verb *before* the end of the sentence when there are other elements. For example:
✗ Ich will nach Hause gehen. (I want to go home.) - This is correct.
✗ Ich will gehen nach Hause. - This is incorrect.
✓ Ich will nach Hause gehen. (I want to go home.)
*Explanation:* The main verb (gehen) always goes to the very end of the sentence when used with a modal verb like wollen.
  1. 1✗ Er wolle in den Park gehen.
✓ Er will in den Park gehen. (He wants to go to the park.)
*Explanation:* Be careful with the irregular conjugations of wollen in the singular forms: ich will, du willst, er/sie/es will. The vowel changes from 'o' to 'i'.

Real Conversations

A

A

Was willst du am Wochenende machen? (What do you want to do on the weekend?)
B

B

Ich will meine Freunde treffen und ins Kino gehen. (I want to meet my friends and go to the cinema.)
A

A

Entschuldigen Sie, darf ich hier kurz mein Gepäck abstellen? (Excuse me, may I briefly put my luggage here?)
B

B

Ja, das dürfen Sie gern machen. (Yes, you may certainly do that.)
A

A

Ich habe Kopfschmerzen. (I have a headache.)
B

B

Du sollst einen Tee trinken und dich ausruhen. (You should drink a tea and rest.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do German modal verbs affect sentence structure?

Modal verbs send the main action verb (in its infinitive form) to the very end of the sentence.

Q

What's the main difference between wollen and möchten for A2 German learners?

Wollen expresses a strong desire or firm intention ("I want to"), while möchten is a more polite and softer expression of desire ("I would like to").

Q

Can dürfen be used for asking permission politely in German?

Yes, absolutely! Using dürfen is the standard and most polite way to ask for permission in German.

Q

When should I use sollen instead of müssen in German grammar?

Sollen is for advice, recommendations, or relaying someone else's request/instruction (you *should* do it). Müssen expresses a stronger, undeniable obligation or necessity (you *must* do it).

Cultural Context

In German-speaking cultures, these modal verbs are used constantly in daily life. Wollen is direct and expresses clear intent. While directness is common, dürfen provides a polite way to navigate social rules and ask for favors, which is appreciated. Sollen is excellent for offering friendly advice without sounding demanding, which aligns with a general preference for clear, but not overly aggressive, communication.

Key Examples (8)

1

Ich kann heute nicht kommen.

I can't come today.

No 'zu' After Modal Verbs (können, wollen, müssen)
2

Du musst die Hausaufgaben machen.

You must do the homework.

No 'zu' After Modal Verbs (können, wollen, müssen)
3

Ich will heute Abend ins Kino gehen.

I want to go to the cinema tonight.

Wanting and Planning: The Verb 'wollen'
4

Willst du mit mir einen Kaffee trinken?

Do you want to drink a coffee with me?

Wanting and Planning: The Verb 'wollen'
5

Darf ich dein Ladekabel benutzen?

May I use your charging cable?

The Modal Verb dürfen: Permissions & Rules (dürfen)
6

Darf man hier mit Karte zahlen?

Is one allowed to pay with a card here?

The Modal Verb dürfen: Permissions & Rules (dürfen)
7

Du sollst dieses neue Lied hören.

You should hear this new song.

Giving Advice and Following Orders (sollen)
8

Ich soll dir von Sarah gratulieren.

I'm supposed to congratulate you from Sarah.

Giving Advice and Following Orders (sollen)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

The 'zu' Trap

Whenever you feel like adding 'to' in English, stop and check if it's a modal verb.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: No 'zu' After Modal Verbs (können, wollen, müssen)
💡

The Sandwich Rule

Remember that the modal verb is the bread and the infinitive is the filling at the end.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Wanting and Planning: The Verb 'wollen'
💡

Use for permission

Always use 'dürfen' when asking if something is allowed. It sounds much more natural than 'können'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Modal Verb dürfen: Permissions & Rules (dürfen)
💡

Use for advice

When a friend asks for help, use 'solltest' to be polite.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Giving Advice and Following Orders (sollen)

Key Vocabulary (6)

wollen to want dürfen to be allowed to sollen should/to be supposed to die Regel (f) the rule der Ratschlag (m) the piece of advice besuchen to visit

Real-World Preview

map-pin

At the Brandenburg Gate

Review Summary

  • Subject + Modal + ... + Infinitive
  • Ich will, du willst, er/sie/es will
  • Ich darf, du darfst, er/sie/es darf
  • Ich soll, du sollst, er/sie/es soll

Common Mistakes

You added 'zu', but modal verbs act like magnets that pull the infinitive verb directly without 'zu'.

Wrong: Ich will zu essen.
Correct: Ich will essen.

The main verb 'essen' must go to the very end of the sentence.

Wrong: Ich will essen Pizza.
Correct: Ich will Pizza essen.

Check your conjugation! It is 'du sollst', not 'du sollt'.

Wrong: Du sollt gehen.
Correct: Du sollst gehen.

Next Steps

You have done an amazing job! Keep practicing these modals, and you will sound like a local in no time.

Write 5 sentences about your school or work rules.

Continue to: Looking Ahead and Connecting Ideas

Quick Practice (10)

Find the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich muss zu arbeiten.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich muss arbeiten.
No 'zu' after modal verbs.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: No 'zu' After Modal Verbs (können, wollen, müssen)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich soll trinke Wasser.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich soll Wasser trinken.
Infinitive at the end.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Giving Advice and Following Orders (sollen)

Select the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich will Pizza essen.
Infinitive at the end.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Wanting and Planning: The Verb 'wollen'

Conjugate dürfen.

Ich ___ heute gehen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: darf
Ich takes darf.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Modal Verb dürfen: Permissions & Rules (dürfen)

Conjugate 'wollen'.

Ich ___ nach Hause gehen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: will
Ich takes 'will'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Wanting and Planning: The Verb 'wollen'

Choose the correct sentence.

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich will essen.
Modal + bare infinitive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: No 'zu' After Modal Verbs (können, wollen, müssen)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Du darfst nicht gehen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Du darfst nicht gehen.
Infinitive at the end.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Modal Verb dürfen: Permissions & Rules (dürfen)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Du willst zu spielen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Du willst spielen.
No 'zu' with modals.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Wanting and Planning: The Verb 'wollen'

Choose the right modal.

Du ___ mehr Wasser trinken. (Advice)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sollst
Advice uses 'sollen'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Giving Advice and Following Orders (sollen)

Fill in the correct form of the modal verb.

Ich ___ heute schwimmen gehen. (können)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kann
Ich takes 'kann'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: No 'zu' After Modal Verbs (können, wollen, müssen)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that directly govern the infinitive.
Yes, e.g., 'Ich will schwimmen können'.
No, it is direct. Use 'möchten' for politeness.
No, use 'werden' for future.
Yes, primarily. It is used to ask for or state permission.
It is a modal verb with an irregular stem in the singular.
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