What level is The Semi-Modal Verb Pouvoir (Present Tense)?

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French Conjugation

The Semi-Modal Verb Pouvoir (Present Tense)

Mastering the verb of capability and permission ("to be able to") and its use with infinitives.

Level A1 Category Conjugation

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Lesson Summary

Mastering the verb of capability and permission ("to be able to") and its use with infinitives.

Conjugation

Pouvoir – Expressing Ability and Permission

Pouvoir means ‘can’ or ‘to be able to’. Like vouloir, it is a semi‑modal verb followed directly by an infinitive. For the conjugation and use of vouloir, see the lesson on vouloir. The polite request Je peux ? (May I?) is an everyday application of this verb.

Conjugation of Pouvoir

Subject	Form	Example
je	peux	Je peux venir.
tu	peux	Tu peux m'aider ?
il / elle / on	peut	Il peut parler anglais.
nous	pouvons	Nous pouvons commencer.
vous	pouvez	Vous pouvez entrer.
ils / elles	peuvent	Elles peuvent nager.

Pouvoir + Infinitive

Like vouloir, pouvoir is followed by the infinitive form of the action verb:
- Je peux parler français. (I can speak French.)
- Tu peux m'aider ? (Can you help me?)
- Nous ne pouvons pas venir demain. (We cannot come tomorrow.)

Negation encloses the conjugated form: Je ne peux pas chanter. Il ne peut pas dormir. For the full negation structure, see basic negation.

Polite Permission Questions

In informal contexts, a rising intonation on Je peux ? suffices to ask for permission (Je peux entrer ?). In formal registers, the inverted form Puis‑je ? is used, though this structure will be studied later. For yes/no question intonation, see forming yes/no questions.

Examples

Je peux parler français et anglais.
Je peux (first person singular) + infinitives parler.
Tu peux venir à la fête ?
Informal question with tu peux and rising intonation.
Nous ne pouvons pas aller au cinéma ce soir.
Negation with ne…pas enclosing pouvons.

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The Semi-Modal Verb Pouvoir (Present Tense)Mastering the verb of capability and permission ("to be able to") and its use with infinitives.State personal abilities and ask for permission by combining pouvoir with common infinitives.ConjugationA1conjugationLearn French ConjugationFrench ConjugationPouvoir – Expressing Ability and PermissionPouvoir means ‘can’ or ‘to be able to’. Like vouloir, it is a semi‑modal verb followed directly by an infinitive. For the conjugation and use of vouloir, see the lesson on vouloir. The polite request Je peux ? (May I?) is an everyday application of this verb.