Modal verbs in Serbian grammar are crucial in expressing mood, ability, necessity, or other conditions. They are highly irregular and often have different conjugations for different tenses. Some of the most common modal verbs in Serbian are ‘moći’ (can), ‘morati’ (must), ‘hteti’ (want), and ‘trebati’ (need). Their usage provides depth and context to a sentence and lets the speaker relay their emotions, obligations, possibilities, and necessities effectively.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the modal verbs
1. Ona *mora* (must) da ide u školu svaki dan.
2. Ja *može* (can) da igram fudbal.
3. On *hoće* (want) da jede suši.
4. Mi *trebamo* (need) da učimo za ispit.
5. Da li *možeš* (can) da mi pomogneš?
6. *Morao* (had to) sam oprati sudove.
7. On ne *želi* (doesn’t want) da ide na koncert.
8. *Htela* (wanted) sam da poseti New York.
9. *Trebali* (should) smo da stignemo tamo ranije.
10. Da li *hteo* (wanted) da igraš sa nama?
11. *Mogla* (could) sam kupiti knjigu.
12. *Trebala* (needed) mu je pomoć.
13. On *može* (can) prevesti ovaj tekst.
14. Ja *hoću* (want) da pevam.
15. Ona ne *mora* (doesn’t have to) da dolazi na sastanak.
2. Ja *može* (can) da igram fudbal.
3. On *hoće* (want) da jede suši.
4. Mi *trebamo* (need) da učimo za ispit.
5. Da li *možeš* (can) da mi pomogneš?
6. *Morao* (had to) sam oprati sudove.
7. On ne *želi* (doesn’t want) da ide na koncert.
8. *Htela* (wanted) sam da poseti New York.
9. *Trebali* (should) smo da stignemo tamo ranije.
10. Da li *hteo* (wanted) da igraš sa nama?
11. *Mogla* (could) sam kupiti knjigu.
12. *Trebala* (needed) mu je pomoć.
13. On *može* (can) prevesti ovaj tekst.
14. Ja *hoću* (want) da pevam.
15. Ona ne *mora* (doesn’t have to) da dolazi na sastanak.
Exercise 2: Translate the sentence and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the modal verbs
1. She *can* (can) swim very well.
2. He *wants* (want) to travel the world.
3. I *don’t want* (do not want) to go to the party.
4. He *must* (must) take his medication.
5. We *need* (need) to buy some groceries.
6. I *couldn’t* (couldn’t) find my keys.
7. She *should* (should) wear a coat. It’s cold outside.
8. I *will* (will) come if I can.
9. You *must not* (mustn’t) smoke in here.
10. He *needs* (needs) to get some rest.
11. I *will* (will) help you prepare for the exam.
12. *Will* (will) you take me to the airport?
13. We *might* (might) go to the cinema later.
14. They *will* (will) arrive late.
15. I *must* (must) remember to call him.
2. He *wants* (want) to travel the world.
3. I *don’t want* (do not want) to go to the party.
4. He *must* (must) take his medication.
5. We *need* (need) to buy some groceries.
6. I *couldn’t* (couldn’t) find my keys.
7. She *should* (should) wear a coat. It’s cold outside.
8. I *will* (will) come if I can.
9. You *must not* (mustn’t) smoke in here.
10. He *needs* (needs) to get some rest.
11. I *will* (will) help you prepare for the exam.
12. *Will* (will) you take me to the airport?
13. We *might* (might) go to the cinema later.
14. They *will* (will) arrive late.
15. I *must* (must) remember to call him.
