B2 Verb Moods 12 min read Hard

Reporting Questions: Konjunktiv I

Use {der|m} Konjunktiv I to report questions neutrally, making you sound professional and precise like a journalist.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use Konjunktiv I to report questions indirectly, shifting the verb to the Konjunktiv I form to maintain distance from the original speaker.

  • Use 'ob' for Yes/No questions: Er fragte, ob ich {der|m} Kaffee trinke.
  • Use the interrogative pronoun for W-questions: Sie fragte, wann ich komme.
  • If Konjunktiv I looks like Indicative, use Konjunktiv II: Er fragte, ob sie kämen (instead of kommen).
Reporting Verb + (ob / W-word) + Subject + Object + Verb(Konjunktiv I)

Overview

Mastering the art of reporting what others have said, especially questions, is a hallmark of advanced German proficiency. This skill allows you to integrate information seamlessly into your discourse while maintaining a crucial distinction between direct speech and reported speech. In German, the primary tool for achieving this neutrality and grammatical precision is the Konjunktiv I (Subjunctive I).

Unlike simple declarative statements, reporting questions requires a specific structural approach that signals to your audience that you are merely relaying an inquiry, not posing it yourself. This grammatical mood is indispensable in formal contexts, journalistic reporting, and any situation demanding objective communication. While casual conversation may occasionally default to the Indikativ (indicative mood), a proper understanding and application of the Konjunktiv I demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of German syntax and semantic nuance.

It is not merely a stylistic choice but a linguistic mechanism to clearly attribute the origin of a question to its source, providing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

How This Grammar Works

Reporting a question in German involves transforming a direct interrogative sentence into a subordinate clause within a main clause. This transformation necessitates several key adjustments: the introduction of a reporting verb, a specific conjunction or question word, and crucially, the verb in the subordinate clause taking the Konjunktiv I form. The primary function of this construction is to objectively present an inquiry without vouching for its content or validity, signaling a clear distance between your own statement and the reported one.
To report a question, you begin with a main clause containing a reporting verb such as fragen (to ask), wissen wollen (to want to know), sich erkundigen (to inquire), or sich wundern (to wonder). This verb sets up the reported speech. Following the main clause, a subordinate clause is introduced.
The structure of this subordinate clause depends on the type of question being reported:
  • For Yes/No Questions: If the original question could be answered with a simple ja or nein, the subordinate clause is introduced by the conjunction ob (whether/if). For example, the direct question “Bist du müde?” (Are you tired?) becomes Er fragt, ob du müde seiest. Note the verb seiest (the Konjunktiv I form of sein`) moves to the end of the clause.
  • For W-Questions: If the original question began with a question word (Wer?, Was?, Wo?, Wann?, Warum?, Wie?, etc.), that same W-word acts as the conjunction introducing the subordinate clause. For instance, the direct question “Wann kommst du an?” (When do you arrive?) becomes Sie will wissen, wann du ankommest. Here, ankommest (the Konjunktiv I form of ankommen`) is at the clause's end.
In both cases, the word order within the subordinate clause becomes that of a typical subordinate clause: subject – objects/adverbs – Konjunktiv I verb at the very end. Furthermore, pronouns often need to be adjusted to reflect the change in perspective. If someone asks “Kann ich dir helfen?” (Can I help you?), and you report it, you might say Er fragt, ob er mir helfen könne`.
The pronoun ich becomes er, and dir becomes mir to maintain logical consistency. This intricate dance of conjunctions, word order, and verb moods ensures that reported questions are grammatically precise and unmistakably indirect.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming the Konjunktiv I is generally straightforward, relying on the stem of the infinitive and specific endings. Understanding this pattern is crucial, but recognizing the challenges posed by identical forms with the Indikativ Präsens is equally important. The Konjunktiv I is primarily formed from the present tense stem of the verb.
2
General Rule for Regular (Weak) Verbs and Many Strong/Mixed Verbs:
3
Take the infinitive stem (e.g., mach- from machen, komm- from kommen, fahr- from fahren) and add the Konjunktiv I endings. The only exception to the stem rule is if the stem ends in -el or -er, where the e of the ending is sometimes dropped, as in sammle instead of sammele for ich.
4
| Person | Ending | Example: fragen (to ask) | Example: kommen (to come) | Example: antworten (to answer) |
5
| :------------- | :----- | :------------------------- | :-------------------------- | :----------------------------- |
6
| ich | -e | frage | komme | antworte |
7
| du | -est | fragest | kommest | antwortest |
8
| er/sie/es/man| -e | frage | komme | antworte |
9
| wir | -en | fragen | kommen | antworten |
10
| ihr | -et | fraget | kommet | antwortet |
11
| sie/Sie | -en | fragen | kommen | antworten |
12
Irregular and Essential: The Verb sein (to be)
13
Sein is the most common and often the only verb whose Konjunktiv I forms are consistently unique and therefore widely used in both formal and informal reported speech without ambiguity. You must commit these forms to memory, as er/sie/es sei is a ubiquitous marker of reported speech.
14
| Person | sein (to be) |
15
| :------------- | :------------- |
16
| ich | sei |
17
| du | seiest |
18
| er/sie/es/man| sei |
19
| wir | seien |
20
| ihr | seiet |\
21
| sie/Sie | seien |
22
Example: Die Studentin fragte, ob der Professor heute anwesend sei`.
23
(The student asked if the professor was present today.)
24
The Challenge: Identical Forms and the Role of Konjunktiv II
25
A significant challenge with Konjunktiv I lies in its frequent overlap with the Indikativ Präsens forms, particularly for the ich, wir, and sie/Sie (plural) persons. When the Konjunktiv I form is identical to the Indikativ Präsens form, ambiguity arises. In such cases, German grammar mandates the use of the Konjunktiv II as a substitute to ensure that the reported nature of the statement remains clear.
26
| Verb (infinitive) | Person | Indikativ Präsens | Konjunktiv I | Konjunktiv II (Substitution) |
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| :---------------- | :----- | :------------------ | :------------- | :----------------------------- |\
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| machen | ich | mache | mache | machte / würde machen |\
29
| sagen | wir | sagen | sagen | sagten / würden sagen |\
30
| kaufen | sie | kaufen | kaufen | kauften / würden kaufen |\
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| gehen | er | geht | gehe | ginge / würde gehen |\
32
Notice that for er/sie/es/man, Konjunktiv I forms (mache, sage, gehe) are often unique and thus frequently used. This is why er/sie/es sei and er/sie/es komme are so common in formal reporting. For all other persons, if Konjunktiv I equals Indikativ Präsens, you must opt for Konjunktiv II. This often involves using the würde + infinitive construction for most verbs, or the simple past stem + Umlaut (if possible) + e for strong verbs (ginge, käme, hielte). The choice of Konjunktiv II here is purely a grammatical necessity to avoid ambiguity, not an indication of hypothetical meaning as it typically conveys.
33
Modal Verbs in Konjunktiv I
34
Modal verbs (können, dürfen, sollen, wollen, müssen, mögen) also have Konjunktiv I forms. These are generally regular, adding -e to the infinitive stem for most persons, often leading to overlap with Indikativ Präsens. However, their Konjunktiv I forms are still used, especially with er/sie/es (er könne, sie möge).
35
Example: Der Arzt fragte, ob der Patient die Medikamente regelmäßig nehme`.
36
(The doctor asked if the patient took the medication regularly.)

When To Use It

The Konjunktiv I for reported questions is a grammatical tool whose application is dictated by the desired register of speech, the need for objectivity, and the clarity of attribution. Its primary domain is formal German, where precision and verifiable sourcing are paramount. Understanding these contexts will guide your correct usage.
  1. 1Journalism and Media: This is arguably the most prominent arena for Konjunktiv I. News reports, interviews, and official statements consistently employ it to report questions asked by politicians, experts, or witnesses. It signals that the journalist is merely relaying information and not asserting its truth. For instance, a headline might read: Der Politiker fragte, ob die Wirtschaftskrise abwendbar sei`.
  1. 1Academic and Scientific Texts: In research papers, analyses, and academic discussions, the Konjunktiv I ensures that questions posed by other researchers or from source material are accurately attributed and presented as indirect speech. This maintains scholarly rigor and objective distance. For example, Die Studie untersuchte, wie sich die Ergebnisse verändern würden, wenn man die Variablen anpassen würde. (Here, würden` is Konjunktiv II substituting for an ambiguous Konjunktiv I, preserving the reported nature).
  1. 1Formal Correspondence and Professional Communication: In business emails, official reports, or legal documents, using Konjunktiv I to report questions adds a layer of professionalism and formality. It helps to precisely convey inquiries made by clients, colleagues, or superiors. Consider a meeting summary: Der Abteilungsleiter erkundigte sich, wann das Projekt abgeschlossen werde`.
  1. 1Maintaining Neutrality and Objectivity: Beyond specific professions, the Konjunktiv I is used whenever the speaker wishes to emphasize that they are merely a messenger. It avoids any implication of personal endorsement or agreement with the reported question. This is particularly useful in delicate or contentious discussions, where remaining neutral is crucial. Example: Die Anwältin fragte die Zeugin, ob sie die Ereignisse klar in Erinnerung habe`.
  1. 1Indirect Commands/Requests (implied questions): While technically a different category (reported commands often use sollen or mögen in Konjunktiv I), sometimes a polite question can function as a request. Reporting these often implicitly uses Konjunktiv I. If your boss asks “Könnten Sie das bitte erledigen?” (a polite request), you might report: Mein Chef fragte, ob ich das erledigen könne`.
Cultural Insight: German communication values precision and clarity, especially in formal settings. The Konjunktiv I serves this cultural norm by providing an unambiguous linguistic marker for reported speech, ensuring that the audience understands the source and nature of the information being conveyed. While not always strictly followed in informal chat, its presence in media and formal discourse is a constant reminder of this linguistic emphasis.

Common Mistakes

Navigating the Konjunktiv I for reported questions can be challenging, primarily due to the subtle distinctions from other verb moods and the inherent ambiguity of many Konjunktiv I forms. Awareness of these common pitfalls will significantly improve your accuracy.
  1. 1Over-reliance on Indikativ in Formal Contexts: The most frequent error among learners is simply using the Indikativ Präsens instead of Konjunktiv I (or Konjunktiv II as a substitute) in situations that demand formal reporting. While acceptable in very casual spoken German, this sounds unprofessional and imprecise in written or formal contexts. For instance, writing Er fragt, ob ich Zeit habe (Indikativ) instead of Er fragt, ob ich Zeit habe (Konjunktiv I, but identical form, thus ambiguous and better replaced by Konjunktiv II: Er fragt, ob ich Zeit hätte). The Indikativ lacks the crucial distancing effect of the subjunctive mood.
  1. 1Incorrect Substitution with Konjunktiv II: Learners often know that Konjunktiv II can substitute for Konjunktiv I, but they might misuse it. The rule is specific: Konjunktiv II is used only when the Konjunktiv I form is identical to the Indikativ Präsens form to avoid ambiguity. It is not an arbitrary choice. For example, er sei is a unique Konjunktiv I form, so er wäre (Konjunktiv II) should not substitute for it in reported speech unless there's an additional hypothetical nuance. The mistake is using Konjunktiv II for forms that are already unique in Konjunktiv I.
  1. 1Ignoring Subordinate Clause Word Order: A persistent error is applying main clause word order to the reported question. Remember, the conjugated Konjunktiv I verb always moves to the end of the subordinate clause.
  • Mistake: Er fragt, ob ich habe` Zeit. (Incorrect verb placement)
  • Correction: Er fragt, ob ich Zeit habe`.
  1. 1Misforming Konjunktiv I for Less Common Persons: While er/sie/es forms are often practiced, learners sometimes struggle with du and ihr forms (e.g., du fragest, ihr fraget), which, though grammatically correct Konjunktiv I, often sound antiquated or overly formal in reported speech, even when unique. In practical use, Konjunktiv II substitutions (du fragtest/würdest fragen) are frequently preferred to avoid this archaic feel, even if the Konjunktiv I form is distinct.
  1. 1Confusion with Hypothetical Konjunktiv II: Learners might confuse the use of Konjunktiv II as a substitute in reported speech with its primary function of expressing hypothetical or unreal situations. In reported speech, Konjunktiv II merely serves to clarify that the statement is indirect; it does not inherently add a hypothetical meaning to the reported question. The context of the reporting verb (fragen, wissen wollen) makes the indirect nature clear.
  1. 1Incorrect Punctuation: Remember that reported questions, as subordinate clauses, are always separated from the main clause by a comma. Missing this comma is a common oversight.
By consciously practicing the formation rules, paying close attention to ambiguous forms, and diligently applying subordinate clause word order, you can overcome these common mistakes and use Konjunktiv I effectively.

Real Conversations

While Konjunktiv I for reported questions is a cornerstone of formal German, its presence in everyday, spontaneous conversation is nuanced and often significantly reduced. Understanding where and how native speakers actually use it—or don't—is key to sounding authentic.

Formal and Semi-Formal Spoken Contexts: In televised interviews, political debates, professional presentations, or university seminars, you will frequently hear Konjunktiv I. Here, speakers maintain a formal register and precision. For instance, a panelist might state: Ein Zuschauer fragte, ob die Maßnahmen ausreichend seien. (A viewer asked if the measures were sufficient.) Or, in a work meeting: Der Kunde hat sich erkundigt, wann die Lieferung eintreffe. (The client inquired when the delivery would arrive.) These are situations where maintaining objectivity and correctly attributing the source of the question is valued.

Journalism and News Consumption: When you read news articles, listen to radio news, or watch television reports, Konjunktiv I is consistently used to quote or report questions. This means that as a learner, your passive recognition of Konjunktiv I should be highly developed. You will encounter constructions like Es wurde gefragt, ob die Regierung die Entscheidung überdenken werde. (It was asked if the government would reconsider` the decision.) This is a passive construction reporting a question.

C

Casual Spoken German

In relaxed, day-to-day interactions among friends, family, or close colleagues, the explicit use of Konjunktiv I for reported questions is rare. Native speakers often opt for the Indikativ Präsens instead, or they may restructure the sentence to avoid a complex subordinate clause altogether.

- Direct: “Hast du Hunger?” (Are you hungry?)

- Formal reported: Er fragt, ob ich Hunger habe/hätte`.

- Casual reported (common): Er fragt, ob ich Hunger habe. (Here, habe is Indikativ`, often implicitly understood as reported speech)

Alternatively, more indirect phrasings might be used: Er hat gefragt, dass ich Hunger habe. (less formal, grammatically debated but common usage). Or they might even revert to direct quotes: `Er hat gefragt:

Konjunktiv I Conjugation (sein)

Person Konjunktiv I
ich
sei
du
seiest
er/sie/es
sei
wir
seien
ihr
seiet
sie/Sie
seien

Meanings

Konjunktiv I is the standard mood for indirect speech in German, used to report what someone else said without necessarily endorsing the truth of the statement.

1

Indirect Yes/No Questions

Reporting a question that was originally a Yes/No question.

“Sie fragte, ob er mitkomme.”

“Er wollte wissen, ob ich den {der|m} Schlüssel habe.”

2

Indirect W-Questions

Reporting a question that started with a question word (wer, wie, wo, etc.).

“Er fragte, wie ich das gemacht habe.”

“Sie fragte, wo {das|n} Auto steht.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Reporting Questions: Konjunktiv I
Form Structure Example
Yes/No
ob + Subj + Verb(K1)
Er fragte, ob ich Zeit habe.
W-Question
W-word + Subj + Verb(K1)
Sie fragte, wo er ist.
K1 Ambiguous
K2 form
Sie fragten, ob wir kämen.
Past
K1 (haben/sein) + Partizip
Er fragte, ob ich gekommen sei.
Modal
K1 (modal) + Infinitiv
Sie fragte, ob ich gehen könne.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Er fragte, ob ich Zeit habe.

Er fragte, ob ich Zeit habe. (Reporting a question)

Neutral
Er fragte, ob ich Zeit habe.

Er fragte, ob ich Zeit habe. (Reporting a question)

Informal
Er hat gefragt, ob ich Zeit habe.

Er hat gefragt, ob ich Zeit habe. (Reporting a question)

Slang
Er hat gefragt, ob ich kann.

Er hat gefragt, ob ich kann. (Reporting a question)

Indirect Question Flow

Indirect Question

Yes/No

  • ob if/whether

W-Questions

  • wer/wie/wo who/how/where
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Examples by Level

1

Er fragt, ob ich komme.

He asks if I am coming.

2

Sie fragt, wo er ist.

She asks where he is.

3

Er fragt, wer das ist.

He asks who that is.

4

Sie fragt, was ich mache.

She asks what I am doing.

1

Er fragte, ob ich Zeit habe.

He asked if I have time.

2

Sie fragte, wann der Zug fährt.

She asked when the train leaves.

3

Er fragte, warum ich lache.

He asked why I am laughing.

4

Sie fragte, wie viel {das|n} kostet.

She asked how much that costs.

1

Er fragte, ob ich den {der|m} Bericht gelesen habe.

He asked if I have read the report.

2

Sie fragte, ob wir morgen kommen könnten.

She asked if we could come tomorrow.

3

Er wollte wissen, wo die {die|f} Konferenz stattfindet.

He wanted to know where the conference is taking place.

4

Sie fragte, wer für das {das|n} Projekt verantwortlich sei.

She asked who is responsible for the project.

1

Der Chef fragte, ob die {die|f} Deadline eingehalten werden könne.

The boss asked if the deadline could be met.

2

Sie fragte, ob wir die {die|f} Unterlagen bereits erhalten hätten.

She asked if we had already received the documents.

3

Er erkundigte sich, ob die {die|f} Reisekosten erstattet würden.

He inquired if the travel expenses would be reimbursed.

4

Sie fragte, ob man den {der|m} Plan ändern müsse.

She asked if one had to change the plan.

1

Die Journalistin fragte, ob der {der|m} Minister von den {die|f} Vorwürfen gewusst habe.

The journalist asked if the minister had known about the allegations.

2

Er fragte, ob es sich bei dem {der|m} Vorfall um einen {der|m} Fehler gehandelt habe.

He asked if the incident was a mistake.

3

Sie fragte, ob die {die|f} Maßnahmen ausreichten, um die {die|f} Krise zu bewältigen.

She asked if the measures were sufficient to manage the crisis.

4

Er fragte, ob man die {die|f} Entscheidung revidieren könne.

He asked if one could revise the decision.

1

Man fragte sich, ob die {die|f} Reformen in der {die|f} Tat die {die|f} erhofften Ergebnisse zeitigten.

One wondered if the reforms actually yielded the hoped-for results.

2

Die Kommission fragte, ob die {die|f} Beweise für eine {die|f} Verurteilung ausreichten.

The commission asked if the evidence was sufficient for a conviction.

3

Er fragte, ob die {die|f} Entwicklung der {die|f} Märkte eine {die|f} Korrektur erfordere.

He asked if the market development required a correction.

4

Sie fragte, ob die {die|f} Philosophie des {der|m} Unternehmens noch zeitgemäß sei.

She asked if the company's philosophy was still contemporary.

Easily Confused

Reporting Questions: Konjunktiv I vs Konjunktiv I vs. Konjunktiv II

Learners often use K2 for everything.

Common Mistakes

✗

Er fragt, ob ich komme.

✓

Er fragt, ob ich komme.

At A1, Indicative is often accepted, but it's technically not K1.
✗

Sie fragte, ob wir kommen.

✓

Sie fragte, ob wir kämen.

Failing to switch to K2 when K1 is ambiguous.
✗

Er fragte, ob ich habe Zeit.

✓

Er fragte, ob ich Zeit habe.

Word order error in indirect questions.
✗

Er fragte, ob er kommt.

✓

Er fragte, ob er komme.

Using Indicative in formal reporting.

Sentence Patterns

Er fragte, ob ___ ___ ___.

Sie wollte wissen, wo ___ ___ ___.

Real World Usage

News Report constant

Der Sprecher sagte, die {die|f} Lage sei ernst.

Meeting Minutes very common

Er fragte, ob das {das|n} Projekt ende.

Job Interview common

Sie fragte, ob ich Erfahrung habe.

Academic Paper common

Müller behauptet, die {die|f} Daten seien falsch.

Legal Document common

Der Zeuge sagte, er habe nichts gesehen.

Social Media News occasional

Man sagt, die {die|f} Firma sei pleite.

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💡

When in doubt, use K2

If you aren't sure if K1 is ambiguous, use K2. It's always correct in reported speech.
⚠️

Don't overdo it

In casual conversation, K1 sounds stiff. Use it for formal contexts.
🎯

Focus on 'sei'

The verb 'sein' is the most common K1 verb. Master 'sei' and 'seien' first.
💬

Journalistic style

Read German news (e.g., Tagesschau) to see K1 in action.

Smart Tips

Always check if the K1 form is the same as the Indicative.

Sie fragten, ob wir kommen. → Sie fragten, ob wir kämen.

Use K1 to report inquiries.

Er fragte, ob ich Zeit habe. → Er fragte, ob ich Zeit habe.

Always use 'sei' for K1.

Er fragte, ob er ist da. → Er fragte, ob er da sei.

Use 'habe' for K1.

Er fragte, ob ich habe Zeit. → Er fragte, ob ich Zeit habe.

Pronunciation

sei /zaɪ/

K1 endings

The -e ending is often pronounced clearly in formal speech.

Reporting tone

Er fragte, ob... ↘

Falling intonation for statements.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of Konjunktiv I as a 'Reporter's Shield'—it protects you from taking responsibility for the original question.

Visual Association

Imagine a reporter holding a microphone with a 'K1' sticker on it. Every time they ask a question, they use the K1 form to show they are just repeating someone else.

Rhyme

Wenn du fragst, was jemand sagte, nimm Konjunktiv I, damit es klappte.

Story

A journalist is interviewing a politician. The politician asks, 'Is the budget ready?' The journalist writes in their notebook: 'The politician asked if the budget were ready.' The journalist uses K1 to show it's the politician's question, not their own.

Word Web

obseihabekönnewollewisse

Challenge

Find a news article in German, pick one question mentioned, and rewrite it as an indirect question using K1.

Cultural Notes

K1 is the gold standard in German newspapers.

Used in theses to report other researchers' findings.

Used in minutes of meetings.

Konjunktiv I comes from the Old High German optative and subjunctive moods.

Conversation Starters

“

Was hat dein Lehrer heute gefragt?

“

Was haben die Nachrichten über das Wetter gesagt?

“

Was hat dein Chef in der letzten Sitzung gefragt?

“

Wie würdest du die Frage des Politikers indirekt wiedergeben?

Journal Prompts

Schreibe über ein Gespräch, das du heute hattest.
Berichte über eine Frage, die dir in einem Interview gestellt wurde.
Analysiere eine Nachrichtensendung und berichte über die Fragen der Journalisten.
Schreibe ein Protokoll einer fiktiven Sitzung.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct K1 form.

Er fragte, ob ich Zeit ___ (haben).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: habe
K1 for 'ich' is 'habe'.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Sie fragte, wo er ___ (sein).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sei
K1 for 'er' is 'sei'.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Er fragte, ob wir kommen (Indicative).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er fragte, ob wir kämen.
K1 is ambiguous, so use K2.
Transform to indirect speech. Sentence Transformation

Er fragt: 'Kommst du?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er fragte, ob ich komme.
Use 'ob' and K1.
Match the direct to indirect. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er fragte, ob er da sei.
Correct K1 form.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Sie fragte, ob sie ___ (können).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: könne
K1 for 'sie' is 'könne'.
Fill in the correct K1 form.

Er fragte, ob ich ___ (wissen).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: wisse
K1 for 'ich' is 'wisse'.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Sie fragte, ob wir gehen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie fragte, ob wir gingen.
K1 is ambiguous, use K2.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct K1 form.

Er fragte, ob ich Zeit ___ (haben).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: habe
K1 for 'ich' is 'habe'.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Sie fragte, wo er ___ (sein).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sei
K1 for 'er' is 'sei'.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Er fragte, ob wir kommen (Indicative).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er fragte, ob wir kämen.
K1 is ambiguous, so use K2.
Transform to indirect speech. Sentence Transformation

Er fragt: 'Kommst du?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er fragte, ob ich komme.
Use 'ob' and K1.
Match the direct to indirect. Match Pairs

Direct: 'Ist er da?'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er fragte, ob er da sei.
Correct K1 form.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Sie fragte, ob sie ___ (können).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: könne
K1 for 'sie' is 'könne'.
Fill in the correct K1 form.

Er fragte, ob ich ___ (wissen).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: wisse
K1 for 'ich' is 'wisse'.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Sie fragte, ob wir gehen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie fragte, ob wir gingen.
K1 is ambiguous, use K2.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

6 exercises
Fill in the blank with the Konjunktiv I of 'kommen'. Fill in the Blank

Sie fragt, ob er heute ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: komme
Report this question: 'Wo wohnst du?' Multiple Choice

Choose the formal reporting sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er fragt, wo du wohnest.
Reorder the words to report: 'Isst sie Fleisch?' Sentence Reorder

sie | fragt | ob | Fleisch | esse | er

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er fragt, ob sie Fleisch esse.
Translate to German using Konjunktiv I: 'He wants to know if you have the key.' Translation

He wants to know if you have the key.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er will wissen, ob du den Schlüssel habest.
Match the Indikativ to the Konjunktiv I form. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: er ist -> er sei
Fix the verb: 'Sie fragt, ob du da seiest.' Error Correction

Is this correct? 'Sie fragt, ob du da seiest.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Correct as is.

Score: /6

FAQ (8)

To report speech while maintaining distance.

In formal writing, yes. In speech, it's optional.

Use K2.

No, that's incorrect.

Rarely.

K1 is for reporting, K2 for hypotheticals.

Yes, very.

Some verbs are rarely used in K1.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Subjuntivo

Spanish uses it for doubt; German uses it for reporting.

French moderate

Subjonctif

French reporting uses indicative.

Japanese low

to iu

No verb mood change.

Arabic low

Indirect speech

No mood change.

Chinese none

Indirect speech

No conjugation.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Reporting What Others Said: Modal Verbs (Konjunktiv I)
Next
Reporting Orders: Konjunktiv I (Commands)

Learn These First

B2 Requires

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