Before you start

Meet sollen

Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.

All 6 meanings

  1. (auxiliary) should; to be obligated (to do something); ought; shall
  2. (auxiliary) to be recommended (to do something); to be asked (to do something)
  3. (auxiliary) to be intended (to do something); to be meant (to be something)
  4. (auxiliary) to be said (to do something); reportedly; they say that; I hear that; so they say; rumor has it; supposedly.
  5. (auxiliary, in a subordinate clause in the simple past tense) would; indicates that the subordinate clause indicates something that would happen in the past but after the time frame of the main clause
  6. (auxiliary, in a subordinate clause in the subjunctive) should; indicates that the subordinate clause indicates a hypothetical and unlikely condition for the main clause
Forms

How sollen changes

PronounPräsensPräteritum
ichsollsollte
dusollstsolltest
er/sie/essollsollte
wirsollensollten
ihrsolltsolltet
Siesollensollten

Partizip II gesollt · Perfekt with haben

Three examples

  1. 1
    Ich soll heute um acht kommen.I’m supposed to come at eight today.present obligation
  2. 2
    Sie sollte gestern beim Arzt anrufen.She was supposed to call the doctor yesterday.past obligation
  3. 3
    Er sagt, dass ich heute früher gehen soll.He says I should leave earlier today.verb at the end after dass

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