Making Plans: Grammar (AQA GCSE French): Revision Note
Exam code: 8652
To make plans with someone in French , it is useful to be able to say what you can, want, need or must do. We can use modal verbs to do this. You may also want to make suggestions using 'Let's ...'.
Modal verbs
Modal verbs are useful when making and responding to invitations
They are used to say what you can, want, need or must do
They are used with another verb in the infinitive
There are four main modal verbs you need to know:
I | you | he, she, we | Examples | |||
devoir | to have to, must | je dois | tu dois | il / elle / on doit | Je dois aller au supermarché. | I have to /must go to the supermarket. |
pouvoir | to be able to, can | je peux | tu peux | il / elle / on peut | On peut visiter la plage. | You can visit the beach. |
savoir | to know (how to) | je sais | tu sais | il / elle / on sait | Elle sait nager. | She knows how to swim. |
vouloir | to want | je veux | tu veux | il / elle / on veut | Tu veux sortir ce soir ? | Do you want to go out tonight? |
Je voudrais is a very useful modal verb - it is the conditional form of vouloir, and means ‘I would like'
Let's ...
Higher tier only
This grammar is only required for Higher tier.
Use the construction ‘Let’s …’ to make suggestions
There isn’t a separate word for ‘let’s …’ in French, so follow these steps:
Step 1: choose your infinitive verb
manger (to eat)
Step 2: take the nous form of the verb
nous mangeons (we eat)
Step 3: remove the nous
Mangeons ! (Let’s eat!)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Practise this structure by creating some more ‘Let’s …’ verbs in French. Use the key infinitives faire, regarder, and sortir.
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