Simple past 'sollte' (was supposed to, from sollen)
Präteritum 'sollte' (sollen)
'sollte' is the (Präteritum) of 'sollen' - was supposed to.
Structure
sollte + … + Infinitiv (Satzende)
sollte + … + infinitive (end of the clause)
Details
- Part of Speech
- Verb
- Word Type
- Modal verb (past)
- Register
- Standard
Explanation
sollte is the (Präteritum) of the sollen (to be supposed to / should). German uses the of modal verbs even in everyday speech, where other verbs prefer the . sollte reports an obligation or expectation that existed in the past.
It is formed regularly: take the stem soll- and add -te plus the personal ending. Note that sollen has no , so unlike müssen or können nothing changes in the stem.
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| ich / er, sie, es | sollte |
| du | solltest |
| wir / sie / Sie | sollten |
| ihr | solltet |
As with all modals, the main stays as an at the very end of the clause.
- Ich sollte gestern arbeiten. - I was supposed to work yesterday.
- Wir sollten um acht da sein. - We were supposed to be there at eight.
- Du solltest deine Mutter anrufen. - You were supposed to call your mother.
Common mistakes: Do not use a form (there is no natural habe gesollt in this meaning). Also keep the at the end, not next to sollte.
About Simple past 'sollte' (was supposed to, from sollen)
'sollte' is the (Präteritum) of 'sollen' - was supposed to.
of 'sollen'; the stays at the end.
'sollte' ist das von 'sollen'.
Caution
sollen → sollte. Endings: ich/er sollte, du solltest, wir/sie sollten.