6. Sein, haben and the modal verbs: müssen, können, wollen & möchte

6. Sein, haben and the modal verbs: müssen, können, wollen & möchte

These two verbs cannot be used interchangeably, because they have their own functions. The two forms are commonly used to form compound tenses.

Sein is used:

• with verbs that cannot have an object and that often denote movement from one place to another.

EXAMPLE: 

Am Wochenende bin ich nach Berlin gefahren.
During the weekend, I traveled to Berlin.

• with verbs that cannot have an object and that denote a change in state.

EXAMPLE: 

Heute Morgen bin ich früh aufgewacht.
I woke up early this morning (meaning that you went from being asleep to being awake).

Haben is used:

• with all verbs that can have an object (in the accusative case).

EXAMPLE: 

Ich habe die Zeitung gelesen.
I read the newspaper.

• with reflexive verbs, i.e. verbs that refer to some form of action that is self-directed.

EXAMPLE: 

Er hat sich beeilt.
He hurried.

• with several verbs that cannot have an object.

EXAMPLE: 

Gestern hat es viel geregnet.
It rained a lot yesterday.

In addition to the auxiliary verbs sein and haben, German also makes use of modal verbs, which are auxiliary verbs typically used to express necessity or possibility. Below are examples of the most common modal verbs:

EXAMPLES: 

Heute müssen wir einkaufen gehen.
We need to go grocery shopping today.

Könnt ihr bitte eure Hausaufgaben machen?
Could you please do your homework?

Sie wollen eine Reise nach Afrika machen.
They want to go on a trip to Africa.

NB! When using modal verbs, the modal verb is conjugated and the main verb is in the infinitive (basic) form (see “gehen” and “machen” above).

Möchte is an interesting case. Its basic form is “mögen”, and it is an important verb when wanting to be polite.

EXAMPLE: 

Ich möchte ein Glas Wein bestellen.
I would like to order a glass of wine.