Modal Verbs / tud


TUD = CAN, IS ABLE, IS CAPABLE

Formation: tud + infinitive

PRESENT
Indef: El tudunk olvasni mindent.
Indef: We can read everything.
Def: El tudjuk olvasni a könyvet.
Def: We can read the book.

PAST
Indef: El tudtunk olvasni mindent.
Indef: We could read everything.
Def: El tudtuk olvasni a könyvet.
Def: We could read the book.

FUTURE
Indef: El fogunk tudni olvasni mindent.
Indef: We’ll be able to read everything.
Def: El fogjuk tudni olvasni a könyvet.
Def: We’ll be able to read the book.

PRESENT CONDITIONAL
Indef: El tudnánk olvasni mindent.
Indef: We could read everything (if)…
Def: El tudnánk olvasni a könyvet.
Def: We could read the book (if)…

PAST CONDITIONAL
Indef: El tudtunk volna olvasni mindent.
Indef: We could have read everything (if)…
Def: El tudtuk volna olvasni a könyvet.
Def: We could have read the book (if)…

The main verb elolvasni has a complete aspect to it. What you learned about Hungarian phrasal verbs is also valid now. If a modal verb is inserted between the verbal prefix and its verb, everything is written separately!

There’s no such thing: eltudom olvasni = WRONG

The only correct writing is: el tudom olvasni = CORRECT

More examples:

Meg tudom csinálni. – I can do it.
El tudják mondani kívülről. – They know it by heart.
Tudok zongorázni. – I can play the piano.
Három nyelven tudok beszélni. – I (can) speak three languages.

NOTE! Meg tud + verb is not to be confused with:

megtud = to get to know!!!

Meg tudtam írni a dolgozatot.
I could write the test.

Megtudtam, hogy mégsem írunk dolgozatot.
I just learned we wouldn’t write any test.

Next time képes, képtelen. Bye! 🙂

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