Introduction
The French verb "devoir" is an essential part of expressing obligations, responsibilities, and necessity. It functions similarly to the English verbs "must" or "have to," indicating that an action is required or expected.
Conjugation of Devoir
Devoir is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugation does not follow regular patterns. Here is how it is conjugated in some of the most common tenses:
Present Tense
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|
| Je | dois |
| Tu | dois |
| Il/Elle/On | doit |
| Nous | devons |
| Vous | devez |
| Ils/Elles | doivent |
Imperfect Tense
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|
| Je | devais |
| Tu | devais |
| Il/Elle/On | devait |
| Nous | devions |
| Vous | deviez |
| Ils/Elles | devaient |
Future Tense
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|
| Je | devrai |
| Tu | devras |
| Il/Elle/On | devra |
| Nous | devrons |
| Vous | devrez |
| Ils/Elles | devront |
Conditional Present
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|
| Je | devrais |
| Tu | devrais |
| Il/Elle/On | devrait |
| Nous | devrions |
| Vous | devriez |
| Ils/Elles | devraient |
Subjunctive Present
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|
| Je | doive |
| Tu | doives |
| Il/Elle/On | doive |
| Nous | devions |
| Vous | deviez |
| Ils/Elles | doivent |
Passé Composé
The passé composé of "devoir" is formed with the auxiliary verb "avoir" and the past participle "dû."
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|
| Je | ai dû |
| Tu | as dû |
| Il/Elle/On | a dû |
| Nous | avons dû |
| Vous | avez dû |
| Ils/Elles | ont dû |
Usage of Devoir
Devoir is used to express obligations, necessities, or strong recommendations. It can also imply probability or supposition in certain contexts.
1. Expressing Obligation
- Je dois finir mes devoirs.
- I must finish my homework.
- Nous devons partir maintenant.
2. Indicating Necessity
- Tu dois voir ce film.
- You have to see this movie.
- Il doit travailler ce soir.
3. Suggesting Probability or Supposition
- Elle doit être malade.
- She must be sick. (It’s likely that she is sick.)
- Ils doivent déjà être arrivés.
- They must have already arrived. (It’s probable they have arrived.)
4. Conditional or Polite Suggestion
- Je devrais étudier davantage.
- Tu devrais parler à ton professeur.
- You should talk to your teacher.
Examples in Sentences
Present Tense
- Je dois téléphoner à ma mère.
- Il doit faire froid dehors.
Imperfect Tense
- Quand j'étais enfant, je devais me coucher tôt.
- When I was a child, I had to go to bed early.
- Nous devions étudier tous les jours.
- We had to study every day.
Future Tense
- Je devrai travailler ce week-end.
- I will have to work this weekend.
- Ils devront prendre le train.
- They will have to take the train.
Conditional Present
- Tu devrais visiter Paris un jour.
- You should visit Paris someday.
- Nous devrions rester ici.
Subjunctive Present
- Il faut que je doive partir tôt.
- Bien que nous devions attendre, ça vaut la peine.
- Even though we have to wait, it's worth it.
Passé Composé
- J'ai dû aller à l'hôpital hier.
- I had to go to the hospital yesterday.
- Ils ont dû changer leurs plans.
- They had to change their plans.
Common Expressions with Devoir
- devoir de l'argent à quelqu'un
- Cela doit être vrai.
- Tu ne devrais pas mentir.
Conclusion
Devoir is a versatile verb in French, essential for communicating obligations and necessities. Its usage extends from strict requirements to polite suggestions and even probabilistic statements. Understanding how to use "devoir" will greatly enhance your ability to express necessity and obligation in French.
