Before you start
Meet sollen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 6 meanings
- (auxiliary) should; to be obligated (to do something); ought; shall
- (auxiliary) to be recommended (to do something); to be asked (to do something)
- (auxiliary) to be intended (to do something); to be meant (to be something)
- (auxiliary) to be said (to do something); reportedly; they say that; I hear that; so they say; rumor has it; supposedly.
- (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
- (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
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | soll | sollte |
| du | sollst | solltest |
| er/sie/es | soll | sollte |
| wir | sollen | sollten |
| ihr | sollt | solltet |
| Sie | sollen | sollten |
Partizip II gesollt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich soll heute um acht kommen.I’m supposed to come at eight today.present obligation
- 2Sie sollte gestern beim Arzt anrufen.She was supposed to call the doctor yesterday.past obligation
- 3Er sagt, dass ich heute früher gehen soll.He says I should leave earlier today.verb at the end after dass