Who supplies the claim?
Compare Die Zeugin soll den Schlüssel gefunden haben. with Die Zeugin will den Schlüssel gefunden haben. The first reports what others say about the witness; the second presents her own account. Context matters: outside this reporting use, the same modals can express instructions or intentions.
Der Kurier will niemanden gesehen haben.
The courier claims not to have seen anyone.
Report an earlier event
Combine the past participle with the infinitive of the perfect auxiliary. Keep the auxiliary the verb normally takes in this use. The modal is conjugated; the final auxiliary remains an infinitive. The earlier event is not made certain by this longer verb group.
Die Gäste sollen schon abgereist sein.
The guests are said to have already departed.
Attribution is not a verdict
Naming a source makes it clear whose account is being repeated. Konjunktiv I can also mark reported speech. It does not automatically mean that the writer disbelieves the source. Separate the source’s assertion from any evidence you offer yourself.
Die Zeitung berichtet, die Brücke sei wieder offen.
The newspaper reports that the bridge is open again.
Practise this pattern
The matching block includes guided questions, a separate mastery check and spaced review. The first 10 blocks and two samples at each higher level are free; other blocks require course access or an eligible seven-day trial. These tasks practise specific grammar patterns and do not certify a complete language level.
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References
Original explanations and examples informed by grammar references. Level placement is an editorial teaching choice.