Swedish

Verb

böra

1. should, ought to

   Hon bör sitta i båten.

   She should sit/be sitting in the boat.

   Det borde fungera.

   That should work.

Conjugation

Usage notes

Böra indicates a recommendation or probability, or obligation perceived from the point of the speaker. This differs from måste which signifies an absolute requirement or even force. The difference between present tense bör and past tense borde is not so much of tense, but of the strength of the request. Borde is less strong and perceived as more polite, and is more like making a suggestion that the subject is free to ignore. In the case of statements of reality such as Det borde fungera, borde indicates more uncertainty then bör; the speaker is not sure if it will work, but they believe it will.

Related terms

• vederböra