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Year 7 - Spanish

What I have to do: singular modal verbs

What we can and must do: -AR verbs 1st person plural, modals 'poder' 'deber'

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils are introduced to the first person plural of -ar verbs, which they contrast with the singular. Pupils learn singular forms of modal verbs 'deber' and 'poder', modal verbs in negative statements, 'querer' with an infinitive. Key sounds revisited are e, i, u, ca, co, cu.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use singular modal verbs to talk about what you can, must or want to do.

Key Notes

  • The SSC [ca] is pronounced as in 'casa', [co] as in 'comer' and [cu] as in 'cuerpo.
  • The modal verb 'deber' means 'must' and we use it to talk about obligations.
  • The modal verb 'poder' means 'can/be able to' and we use it to talk about possibility.
  • The modal verb 'querer' means 'to want, wanting' and we use it to talk about what we want to do.
  • All modal verbs are followed by an infinitive.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • modal verbs: verbs of necessity and possibility used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive, e.g. must, can, want
  • deber: modal verb that means to have to, must with singular forms 'debo' - I must, 'debes' - you must, 'debe' - she, he, it must.
  • poder: modal verb that means to be able to, can, with singular forms 'puedo' - I can, 'puedes' - you can, 'puede' - she, he, it can
  • querer: modal verb that means to want, wanting with singular forms 'quiero' - I want, 'quieres' - you want, 'quiere' - she, he, it wants.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The word 'si' means both 'yes' and 'if'.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.

The SSC [ca] is pronounced as in 'casa', [co] as in 'comer' and [cu] as in 'cuerpo. The modal verb 'deber' means 'must' and we use it to talk about obligations.

2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'modal verbs'

verbs of necessity and possibility used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive, e.g. must, can, want. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.

3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.

Mistake: The word 'si' means both 'yes' and 'if'. Correction: In Spanish there is a difference between them: 'sí' with an accent means 'yes', and 'si' without an accent means 'if'.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 7 Spanish guide library.