Modal verb 'sollen' (should/ought to)
Modalverb 'sollen'
'sollen' (should / to be supposed to) expresses an obligation or advice.
Structure
sollen (Position 2) + … + Infinitiv (Satzende)
sollen (position 2) + … + infinitive (end of the clause)
Details
- Part of Speech
- Verb
- Word Type
- Modal verb
- Register
- Standard
Explanation
Meaning. sollen means should / to be supposed to. It expresses an obligation, an instruction, or advice: Du sollst mehr schlafen - You should sleep more.
Conjugation.
- ich soll
- du sollst
- er/sie/es soll
- wir sollen
- ihr sollt
- sie/Sie sollen
Unlike the other modals, sollen has no vowel change in the - but the ich- and er-forms are still identical (soll) with no ending.
Word order - the bracket. sollen sits in position 2; the infinitive goes to the end:
- Du sollst mehr Wasser trinken. - You should drink more water.
- Ich soll den Arzt anrufen. - I am supposed to call the doctor.
- Wir sollen pünktlich sein. - We are supposed to be on time.
Common mistakes. sollen often reports someone else's wish or rule (advice, instructions), while müssen is a stronger, objective necessity. Do not add -t to the er-form (er soll). Keep the second as an at the end.
About Modal verb 'sollen' (should/ought to)
'sollen' (should / to be supposed to) expresses an obligation or advice.
forms: ich soll, du sollst, er soll. Often used for advice or instructions.
'sollen' drückt eine Aufforderung, Pflicht oder einen Rat aus.
Caution
Singular: ich soll, du sollst, er/sie/es soll. Unlike the others it has no vowel change.