B2–C1 · GFB · GFB006

Subject + should have been + -ing + instead of + -ing

Explanation

A reusable frame from “Modal scope and past inference”. Compare how English and German express modal scope and past inference. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

EN · EnglishSubject + should have been + -ing + instead of + -ing
DE · GermanSubject + hätte(n) + infinitive + sollen, statt + zu-infinitive
RU · Translation

Мне следовало заниматься, а не смотреть видео.

EN · English

I should have been studying instead of watching videos.

DE · German

Ich hätte lernen sollen, statt Videos anzusehen.

Try variations2 · more examples

  1. RU · Translation

    Ей следовало отдыхать, а не отвечать на письма.

    EN · English

    She should have been resting instead of answering emails.

    DE · German

    Sie hätte sich ausruhen sollen, statt E-Mails zu beantworten.

  2. RU · Translation

    Нам следовало проверять факты, а не спорить.

    EN · English

    We should have been checking facts instead of arguing.

    DE · German

    Wir hätten Fakten prüfen sollen, statt zu streiten.

Pattern graph

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