This post comes from Aidan Isherwood, who is a colleague and absolutely brilliant at grammar. And ‘skulle’ often causes problems when translated into English.
When skulle is not should
The Swedish word skulle appears to be an extremely versatile word. It carries different meanings in different contexts. However, the English word should is not nearly so versatile. Beware translating skulle to should.
Here are a few examples (there are more) where translating skulle to should does not quite get the message across. Should usually implies obligation or recommendation in English so incorrect use can cause confusion.
WRONG: I should leave the party when Janet arrived. So I stayed a bit longer.
BETTER: I was about to leave the party when Janet arrived. So I stayed a bit longer.
[to be about to is for sequencing or placing an event in time]
WRONG: I should play tennis on Sunday, but didn’t because of the rain.
BETTER: I was going to play tennis on Sunday, but didn’t because of the rain.
[going to implies intention/plan]
WRONG: I should take a taxi but I decided to walk.
BETTER: I was going to take a taxi but I decided to walk.
[going to implies intention/plan]
WRONG: I never thought they should win, but they managed it. I was impressed.
BETTER: I never thought they would win, but they managed it. I was impressed.
[would is used here to report a simple prediction or what ‘you’ think ‘will’ happen — there is no sense of deserving to win, which should implies]
Disclaimer: Swedish teachers please note, I know my Swedish isn’t much good, so feel free to correct any false assumptions of mine:-)
