Questions & Answers about Du bör läsa avtalet noga.
Why does this sentence use bör instead of borde like in the rest of this lesson?
The lesson focuses on the past tense form borde to express what you should have done. However, this sentence is in the present tense. bör is the actual present tense of the verb böra (to ought to). While Swedes often use borde as a softer should in the present, bör is used here as a more objective, slightly formal strong recommendation.
How would I rewrite this sentence to express an unfulfilled past obligation?
To say you should have read the agreement carefully (implying that you did not), you shift the verb to the past hypothetical format taught in this lesson. You replace bör läsa with borde ha läst, making the full sentence Du borde ha läst avtalet noga.
Could I use försiktigt instead of noga to mean carefully in this sentence?
No, because they describe different types of care. försiktigt means proceeding with caution to avoid danger or breaking something fragile. noga means being thorough, meticulous, and paying close attention to details, which is exactly what is required when reading a contract.
What is the root word of avtalet?
The root is ett avtal, which means an agreement, a contract, or a treaty. Because it is an ett-word, adding the definite suffix -et turns it into avtalet, meaning the agreement.