verb
should
A1
Modal verb meaning “should” or to express obligation/advice. Uses auxiliary haben in perfect (ich habe gesollt). Irregular/mixed modal: present soll(s), past sollte. No imperative form. Can form passive constructions. Used to report recommendations, duties or supposed expectations; non-reflexive and behaves like other German modals.
Examples
Er sollte pünktlich sein.
He should be on time.
Du sollst deine Hausaufgaben jetzt machen.
You should do your homework now.
Ich hätte es tun sollen.
I should have done it.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a little sticky note telling you what you should do
sounds like English 'soul' + -en
not applicable for verbs
Notes
A modal verb used to express obligation or recommendation. In German it behaves differently from full verbs (often appears with another infinitive). Note: as a modal verb, imperative forms are not used in the usual way and have been marked 'not applicable'. Also Konjunktiv I simple past (Präteritum) and some Konjunktiv I past-subtypes are not generally used and have been marked 'not applicable'.