When is Modale verb: vil og skal used?

Norsk har to modale verb for å snakke om fremtid og intensjoner: vil og skal .

What are common mistakes with Modale verb: vil og skal?

🇬🇧 English speakers use 'vil' where 'skal' is needed: plans/arrangements use 'skal' (like 'going to'), not 'vil' (like 'want to'). 🇷🇺 Russian speakers may struggle with the will/plan distinction since Russian 'хочу' covers both. 🇨🇿 Czech 'chci' = 'vil'; 'mám v plánu/budu' = 'skal'.

Modale verb: vil og skal | Norwegian Grammar A1

Modale verb: vil og skal

A1 — Verb

The modals 'vil' (want to) and 'skal' (shall/will/plan to) express desire and intention in Norwegian.

I can use 'vil' and 'skal' to express wishes, plans and intentions.

The modals 'vil' (want to) and 'skal' (shall/will/plan to) express desire and intention in Norwegian.

Examples

Jeg vil reise til Paris. — I want to travel to Paris.
Vi skal spise middag klokken seks. — We are going to have dinner at six o'clock.
Vil du ha mer kaffe? — Do you want more coffee?

VerbA1

Modal verbs: vil and skal

The modals 'vil' and 'skal' express desire and planned intention in Norwegian.

Learning Goal

I can use 'vil' for wishes and 'skal' for plans and intentions.

Exam Skills:LeseforståelseLytteforståelseMuntligSkriftlig

Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?

Jeg vil reise til Paris.

I want to travel to Paris.

Vi skal spise middag klokken seks.

We are going to have dinner at six o'clock.

Vil du ha mer kaffe?

Do you want more coffee?

Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?

Norwegian uses two modals for the future and intentions:

vil = want to (desire): 'Jeg vil reise.' (I want to travel.)
skal = going to / shall (plan): 'Vi skal spise nå.' (We're going to eat now.)

Both are followed by bare infinitive (no 'å').

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

Practice Exercises

🇬🇧 Don't use 'vil' for plans — use 'skal'. 'Vil' = want (desire only). ❌ Jeg vil møte deg klokken tre → ✅ Jeg skal møte deg klokken tre (if it's a plan).

Common Error Patterns

Using 'vil' for plans instead of 'skal'

Use 'skal' for concrete plans/arrangements; 'vil' for desires/wishes

Conjugating verb after modal

Verb after 'vil'/'skal' stays in infinitive form

Jeg vil reise til Paris.

I want to travel to Paris.

'vil' = want to (desire/wish)

Vi skal spise middag klokken seks.

We are going to have dinner at six o'clock.

'skal' = plan/arrangement (like 'going to')

Vil du ha mer kaffe?

Do you want more coffee?

Inverted 'vil' for question; 'vil ha' = want (to have)

Practice in course

Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises

A1 Course

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Put it into practice

Try a free exercise from the course

Frequently asked questions

When is Modale verb: vil og skal used?: Norsk har to modale verb for å snakke om fremtid og intensjoner: vil og skal .
What are common mistakes with Modale verb: vil og skal?: 🇬🇧 English speakers use 'vil' where 'skal' is needed: plans/arrangements use 'skal' (like 'going to'), not 'vil' (like 'want to'). 🇷🇺 Russian speakers may struggle with the will/plan distinction since Russian 'хочу' covers both. 🇨🇿 Czech 'chci' = 'vil'; 'mám v plánu/budu' = 'skal'.