Indirect speech Flashcards
Forming Konjunktiv I in indirect speech
In indirect or reported speech in German, we use Konjunktiv I
Direct speech: sie sagte: ‘ich schreibe einen Brief’
Indirect speech: sie sagte, dass sie einen Brief schreibe
The present of Konjunktiv I is similar to indicative
Ich mache, du machest, es/sie/er mache, wir/Sie/sie machen, ihr machet
Although sein is similar to imperative:
Ich sei, du sei(e)st, es/sie/er sei, wir/Sie/sie seien
Konjunktiv I is used to mark indirect speech wherever possible
Unless Konjunktiv I is same as indicative case (i.e. Ich mache is same in both cases)
Use the same tense as the indicative of the original speech unless the indicative of the original speech was past or pluperfect: then use perfect
Eg ich wusste es nicht, ich habe es nicht gewusst and ich hatte es nicht gewusst all become sie sagte, sie habe es nicht gewusst.
If present tense of original speech refers to future, then can use present or future tense of Konjunktiv I.
Eg ‘sie heiratet bald’ becomes either ‘sie sagte, sie heirate bald’ or ‘sie sagte, sie werde bald heiraten’
If Konjunktiv I does not differ from indicative then use Konjunktiv II
Indirect speech should be marked by a distinct subjunctive form if possible.
This is typically needed in third person plural as this does not differ between indicative and Konjunktiv I.
Eg to turn ‘wir wissen es nicht’ to indirect speech requires Konjunktiv II as Konjunktiv I would be ‘sie sagen, sie wissen’.
This we use ‘sie sagen, sie wüssten es nicht’
Alternative current usage
Konjunktiv II used over Konjunktiv I in everyday speech and occasionally in writing.
Würde is sometimes used in place of past subjunctive of Konjunktiv II, especially in colloquial German.
The indicative can be used over Konjunktiv I in colloquial speech but also if the indirect speech is introduced by ‘dass’ or if a first or second person is involved
Eg er sagte ihr, von wo ich gekommen bin (not sei)
