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Malay grammar · A1

Modal Verbs

Alexander StebnerCreator of Lingora · Updated 17 October 20262 min readComments

Modal verbs go directly before the main verb and never change form. The key modals are (can/may), (need to), (want to), (should), (must), and (can/able to).

To negate, place before the modal: (cannot), (don't need to). covers both ability and permission, while leans toward ability. is standard for "want" but shortens to in casual speech.

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Malay course

65 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 8. A few of them, with the words “Modal Verbs” is about in bold:

  • Saya mahu pulang sekarang.

    I want to go home now.

    Lesson 71

  • Saya perlu menunggang basikal saya sehingga saya mendapat kereta baru.

    I have to ride my bike until I get a new car.

    Lesson 301

  • Boleh kamu hantar mesej sekali lagi?

    Can you send the message again?

    Lesson 426

All 30 Malay grammar topics

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