Modal Verbs in English and Italian

Professor Dave introduces modal verbs in Italian, known as 'verbi servili', which serve the verb that follows them. He explains their use in English with examples like 'you have to sleep', highlighting the role of infinitives. The video covers Italian modal verbs dovere, potere, and volere, emphasizing their irregularity and necessity for memorization. Examples are provided to illustrate their use in sentences, focusing on necessity, ability, and will. The video concludes with a comprehension check.

What is the primary function of modal verbs in both English and Italian?

• To serve the verb that follows them

• To describe actions in the past

• To indicate the subject of a sentence

• To form questions

In the phrase 'you have to sleep', what does the modal verb 'have to' indicate?

• The necessity of the action

• The location of the action

• The tense of the action

• The subject of the action

Which Italian verb represents the idea of necessity?

• Potere

• Volere

• Essere

• Dovere

What does the Italian verb 'potere' signify?

• Permission

• Desire

• Ability

• Necessity

Which Italian verb is used to express the idea of will or desire?

• Dovere

• Potere

• Avere

• Volere

In the sentence 'io voglio, non posso, e devo', what tense are the verbs in?

• Past tense

• Present tense

• Future tense

• Conditional tense

What is added by the infinitives that follow modal verbs in Italian sentences?

• The subject of the sentence

• The specific meaning of necessity, will, or ability

• The tense of the sentence

• The location of the action