Chapter 11: Modal Verbs in Perfect Tense (V.T.T.)

Introduction: Talking About Past Ability, Permission, Obligation

Just as you can use modal verbs in the present tense, you can also use them to talk about ability, permission, necessity, etc., in the past. This is done using the Perfect Tense (V.T.T.).

However, the structure for modal verbs in the perfect tense is different from regular verbs and often causes confusion. Instead of a past participle of the modal verb, we use a structure with two infinitives.

The Double Infinitive Structure

When a modal verb is used in the Perfect Tense, the structure is:

Structure: Subject + hebben (conjugated) + (Rest of Sentence) + Infinitive Main Verb + Infinitive Modal Verb

Key Points:

Auxiliary is Always hebben: The auxiliary verb for modal verbs in the perfect tense is always hebben, conjugated in the present tense (heb, hebt, heeft, hebben).
No Past Participle of Modal: You do not use a past participle form like gemoeten or gemogen. Instead, you use the infinitive form of the modal verb (moeten, mogen, kunnen, willen, zullen).
Main Verb Infinitive: The main verb also remains in its infinitive form.
Order at the End: The infinitive of the main verb comes first, followed immediately by the infinitive of the modal verb at the very end of the clause.

Examples with `moeten`, `mogen`, `zullen`

Let's see how this works with the modals from the previous chapter:

moeten (must, have to)
Present: Ik moet werken. (I have to work.)
Perfect: Ik heb gisteren moeten werken. (I had to work yesterday.)
Breakdown: heb (auxiliary) + werken (infinitive main verb) + moeten (infinitive modal verb)
Example: Wij hebben langer moeten wachten. (We had to wait longer.)

mogen (may, be allowed to)
Present: Hij mag naar buiten. (He is allowed [to go] outside.)
Perfect: Hij heeft gisteren niet naar buiten mogen gaan. (He was not allowed to go outside yesterday.)
Breakdown: heeft (auxiliary) + gaan (infinitive main verb - added for clarity) + mogen (infinitive modal verb)
Example: Ik heb vroeger nooit laat op mogen blijven. (I was never allowed to stay up late in the past.) (opblijven is the main verb)

zullen (shall, will) - Less common in perfect tense, often replaced by O.V.T. or other phrasing, but the structure exists. Used for past predictions or intentions that didn't necessarily happen.
Present: Het zal regenen. (It will rain.)
Perfect: Het heeft gisteren zullen regenen, maar de zon scheen. (It was supposed to/predicted to rain yesterday, but the sun shone.)
Breakdown: heeft (auxiliary) + regenen (infinitive main verb) + zullen (infinitive modal verb)
Example: Hij heeft dat zullen doen, maar hij vergat het. (He was going to do that, but he forgot.)

Examples with `kunnen`, `willen`

This structure also applies to kunnen (can, be able) and willen (want to):

kunnen (can, be able to)
Present: Zij kan goed zwemmen. (She can swim well.)
Perfect: Zij heeft vroeger goed kunnen zwemmen. (She used to be able to swim well / She could swim well in the past.)
Example: Ik heb je gisteren niet kunnen bereiken. (I couldn't reach you yesterday.)

willen (want to)
Present: Ik wil koffie drinken. (I want to drink coffee.)
Perfect: Ik heb koffie willen drinken, maar het was op. (I wanted to drink coffee, but it was finished.)
Example: Zij hebben altijd al naar Japan willen reizen. (They have always wanted to travel to Japan.)

Common Mistake

A very common mistake is to try and form a past participle of the modal verb (e.g., Ik heb gewild... when there's another main verb). Remember the double infinitive rule when combining a modal verb with another verb in the perfect tense.

(Note: If the modal verb is used without another main verb, it can sometimes form a regular perfect tense, e.g., Ik heb dat niet gewild. - I didn't want that. But this is less common and context-dependent). At A2 level, focus on the double infinitive structure when a main verb is present.

Using modal verbs in the Perfect Tense requires the special double infinitive structure: Subject + hebben (conjugated) + ... + Infinitive Main Verb + Infinitive Modal Verb. The auxiliary is always hebben. Practice this structure to talk about past abilities, necessities, permissions, and desires.