Questions & Answers about Sagnet siger at skatten skulle eksistere i skoven.
Why is the past tense skulle used when the legend says this right now?
This is a special use of skulle to express hearsay or unconfirmed information. Even though it is the past tense form of skal, it doesn't refer to the past here. Instead, it acts like the English phrases is supposed to or is said to, showing that this is just a legend and not a confirmed fact.
Would the meaning change if I used skal instead of skulle?
Yes, it would change the meaning completely. If you say at skatten skal eksistere, it means the treasure must exist, expressing a strong necessity or logical requirement. Using skulle keeps it as a rumor or unverified claim.
Why is the definite ending -et used in Sagnet?
The Danish word for a legend or myth is et sagn, which is a neuter noun, also called a t-word. To make it definite, meaning the legend, you add the -et suffix to get Sagnet.
Why isn't the word at used before eksistere?
skulle is a modal verb. In Danish, modal verbs are followed directly by the infinitive form of the main verb without using the infinitive marker at. That is why it is simply skulle eksistere rather than skulle at eksistere.