B2 Verb Moods 15 min read Hard

Reporting with Style: German Konjunktiv I Strong Verbs

Konjunktiv I for strong verbs uses the infinitive stem without vowel changes to neutrally report someone else's words.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Konjunktiv I is the professional way to report what someone else said without using 'dass'.

  • Use the stem + e, est, e, en, et, en ending.
  • For strong verbs, keep the stem vowel (e.g., 'gehen' -> 'gehe').
  • If Konjunktiv I looks like Indicative, swap to Konjunktiv II.
Subject + Verb(Konjunktiv I) + (Object)

Overview

German Konjunktiv I serves as the primary grammatical mood for reporting speech, thoughts, or information from an external source without explicitly endorsing its truthfulness. This distancing function (Distanzierung) is central to its usage, allowing the speaker or writer to attribute a statement to someone else. Unlike the Indikativ, which states facts, Konjunktiv I signifies that the information is merely relayed.

While often encountered in formal contexts like news reporting, academic texts, and official communications, understanding Konjunktiv I is vital for B2 learners to grasp nuanced communication in German. It allows for a clear linguistic differentiation between one's own assertions and reported content, reflecting a cultural emphasis on precision in information attribution. This mood maintains the semantic chain of reporting, indicating that the content originates from a secondary source.

How This Grammar Works

The core mechanism of Konjunktiv I lies in its ability to mark a statement as indirect speech (indirekte Rede). When you use Konjunktiv I, you are signaling to your audience that the information provided was uttered or thought by someone else. This linguistic function is crucial for preventing misattribution or for situations where the veracity of the reported statement is unknown or irrelevant to your purpose.
For strong verbs (starke Verben), Konjunktiv I exhibits a particularly distinctive formation pattern, often making it easier to recognize than for weak verbs. A key characteristic is the absence of a vowel change or umlaut that is typically present in the Indikativ (Präsens) conjugation of many strong verbs. This consistency in the vowel stem helps to clearly distinguish the Konjunktiv I form from its Indikativ counterpart.
Consider the verb fahren (to drive). In the Indikativ present, the third-person singular is er fährt (he drives), with an umlaut. In Konjunktiv I, this becomes er fahre (he reportedly drives), reverting to the original stem vowel.
This absence of the expected strong verb vowel mutation (Ablaut) is a linguistic marker, consciously employed in formal German to identify reported speech. It is a subtle but powerful signal of attribution.
For example, if you hear Sie sagt, er komme bald. (She says he is coming soon.), the use of komme (Konjunktiv I of kommen) immediately tells you this is a reported statement. If it were Sie sagt, er kommt bald., while common in casual speech, grammatically it could imply the speaker is asserting the fact, or it risks ambiguity. The Konjunktiv I form actively manages this semantic distinction.
This systematic divergence from the Indikativ for strong verbs ensures clarity in conveying reported information.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming the Konjunktiv I for strong verbs follows a systematic and largely predictable pattern. The fundamental principle is to take the infinitive stem of the verb and add the specific Konjunktiv I endings. Crucially, strong verbs in Konjunktiv I do not undergo the vowel changes or umlauts that characterize their Indikativ present tense forms. This makes their Konjunktiv I conjugation relatively stable.
2
Here is the step-by-step process:
3
Identify the Infinitive: Start with the infinitive form of the strong verb (e.g., sprechen, lesen, geben).
4
Determine the Stem: Remove the infinitive ending (-en or -n) to find the verb stem (e.g., sprech-, les-, geb-).
5
Add Konjunktiv I Endings: Append the following standard Konjunktiv I endings to the verb stem.
6
| Person | Konjunktiv I Ending | Example: sprechen (to speak) | Example: lesen (to read) | Example: geben (to give) |
7
| :-------- | :------------------ | :----------------------------- | :------------------------- | :------------------------ |
8
| ich | -e | ich spreche | ich lese | ich gebe |
9
| du | -est | du sprechest | du lesest | du gebest |
10
| er/sie/es | -e | er/sie/es spreche | er/sie/es lese | er/sie/es gebe |
11
| wir | -en | wir sprechen | wir lesen | wir geben |
12
| ihr | -et | ihr sprechet | ihr leset | ihr gebet |
13
| sie/Sie | -en | sie/Sie sprechen | sie/Sie lesen | sie/Sie geben |
14
Notice that the Konjunktiv I forms for ich, wir, and sie/Sie are often identical to their Indikativ present tense counterparts. For instance, ich spreche is both Indikativ and Konjunktiv I. This ambiguity can pose a challenge. In such cases, German speakers may opt for the Konjunktiv II form or use the Indikativ if the context is unambiguously reported speech in informal settings, to avoid sounding overly formal or to ensure clarity when the Konjunktiv I form itself doesn't visually signal the mood. However, for du, er/sie/es, and ihr, the Konjunktiv I forms typically differ from the Indikativ, making them clearly identifiable as reported speech.
15
Compare the third-person singular forms for fahren (to drive):
16
Indikativ Präsens: er fährt (he drives) – vowel change a to ä.
17
Konjunktiv I: er fahre (he reportedly drives) – no vowel change, stem vowel a remains.
18
This distinction is fundamental to correctly applying and recognizing Konjunktiv I with strong verbs.

When To Use It

Konjunktiv I is predominantly employed in situations demanding precise attribution and a clear distinction between a speaker's own statements and reported content. Its primary domain is indirect speech (indirekte Rede), particularly in formal registers.
  • Formal News Reporting and Journalism: This is arguably the most common and critical application. Journalists use Konjunktiv I to convey statements made by politicians, officials, or witnesses, thereby distancing the news organization from the absolute truth claim of the statement. This maintains journalistic objectivity.
  • Example: Die Kanzlerin erklärte, das neue Gesetz trete nächste Woche in Kraft. (The Chancellor declared that the new law would come into effect next week.) Here, trete (from treten) signals reported information.
  • Example: Laut dem(m) Bericht nehme der Umsatz aufgrund der Pandemie ab. (According to the report, sales are decreasing due to the pandemic.) nehme (from nehmen) indicates the information is from the report.
  • Academic and Scientific Writing: In scientific papers, literature reviews, or academic discussions, Konjunktiv I is used when citing other researchers' findings, theories, or arguments. It attributes the claim directly to the source, rather than presenting it as the author's own verified fact.
  • Example: Die Studie zeige, der Effekt sei signifikant. (The study reportedly shows that the effect is significant.) Note sei is Konjunktiv I of sein.
  • Official and Legal Documents: In legal texts, court reports, or administrative communications, Konjunktiv I ensures that statements are presented as alleged facts or reported testimony, maintaining neutrality and legal precision.
  • Example: Der Zeuge gab an, der Angeklagte habe das Gebäude um 22 Uhr verlassen. (The witness stated that the accused had left the building at 10 PM.) habe is Konjunktiv I of haben.
  • Formal Instructions or Exhortations (archaic/fixed expressions): While less common for strong verbs in modern usage, Konjunktiv I can appear in very formal or even literary instructions, similar to an imperative for a general subject man.
  • Example: Man lese die Anweisungen sorgfältig durch. (One should read the instructions carefully.) This implies a general recommendation or command.
  • Summarizing Conversations or Meetings: When you report the outcome or content of a discussion to a superior or colleague, Konjunktiv I can be used to summarize what others said.
  • Example: Herr Schmidt teilte mit, er käme später zum Meeting. (Mr. Schmidt informed that he would come later to the meeting.) Here, käme is Konjunktiv II substituting for an ambiguous komme (K1 for ich/wir/sie). For strong verbs, the distinct K1 form like er komme is often used. Herr Schmidt teilte mit, er komme später zum Meeting.
The fundamental purpose is to clearly articulate that the information conveyed is a report, not a personal assertion. This linguistic tool is integral to accurate and responsible communication in German, particularly in any context requiring objectivity or the clear delineation of information sources. The distinct forms of Konjunktiv I for strong verbs make it an efficient signal for this purpose.

Common Mistakes

Learners often encounter specific challenges when mastering Konjunktiv I for strong verbs, primarily due to interference from Indikativ conjugations and confusion with Konjunktiv II. Recognizing these patterns of error is crucial for accurate application.
  • The Umlaut Trap: One of the most prevalent errors is the incorrect application of umlauts to strong verb stems in Konjunktiv I. Since many strong verbs undergo a vowel change or acquire an umlaut in their Indikativ present tense (e.g., fahren -> er fährt, lesen -> er liest), learners instinctively try to replicate this in Konjunktiv I.
  • Incorrect: Sie sagt, er fährt nach Berlin. (This is Indikativ, asserting the fact, not reporting.)
  • Incorrect: Sie sagt, er fährt nach Berlin. (If attempting Konjunktiv I with umlaut.)
  • Correct: Sie sagt, er fahre nach Berlin. (The stem vowel remains unchanged in Konjunktiv I).
This error undermines the distinctiveness of Konjunktiv I, which relies on the original stem vowel.
  • Confusing Konjunktiv I with Konjunktiv II: While both are subjunctive moods, their primary functions differ significantly. Konjunktiv I is for reporting speech, while Konjunktiv II is for hypothetical or unreal situations.
  • Konjunktiv I: Er sagte, sie gehe nach Hause. (He said she reportedly goes home.) – Reports a statement.
  • Konjunktiv II: Wenn sie Zeit hätte, ginge sie nach Hause. (If she had time, she would go home.) – Expresses a hypothetical condition.
Mistaking one for the other can alter the meaning from a simple report to a statement of doubt or unreality. Konjunktiv II forms (e.g., er ginge for gehen) typically include an umlaut if the stem vowel allows (a, o, u) or maintain the past tense stem.
  • Incorrect Substitution with würde + Infinitive: The würde + infinitive construction is a substitute primarily for Konjunktiv II when its forms are identical to the Indikativ past (Präteritum) or are considered archaic. It is not generally a substitute for Konjunktiv I, especially for strong verbs where the Konjunktiv I form is already distinct from the Indikativ present.
  • Acceptable (for KII): Ich würde gehen, wenn ich könnte. (I would go if I could.)
  • Generally Avoid (for K1 of strong verbs): Er sagt, er würde fahren. While sometimes heard informally as a substitute for ambiguous Konjunktiv I forms, the preferred and clearest form for reported speech with distinct Konjunktiv I strong verbs is the Konjunktiv I itself: Er sagt, er fahre. Over-reliance on würde for Konjunktiv I can sound less formal and less precise.
  • Using Indikativ in Formal Reported Speech: In casual contexts, German speakers often use the Indikativ instead of Konjunktiv I or II for reported speech (e.g., Er sagt, er kommt später.). While common, this is grammatically imprecise and should be avoided in formal writing or speech, particularly when Konjunktiv I forms are distinct. The Indikativ removes the linguistic signal of Distanzierung.
  • Informal: Sie meinte, sie liest das Buch schon. (She thought she is reading the book already.)
  • Formal/Precise: Sie meinte, sie lese das Buch schon. (She thought she reportedly reads the book already.)
  • Ignoring Ambiguous Forms: For ich, wir, and sie/Sie, the Konjunktiv I forms are often identical to Indikativ present. Learners sometimes assume these forms cannot be Konjunktiv I. In these specific ambiguous cases, native speakers sometimes use Konjunktiv II forms or revert to Indikativ in informal contexts to ensure clarity that it is indeed reported speech. For example, instead of Sie sagen, wir gehen., one might hear Sie sagen, wir gingen. (using KII of gehen). The context, however, usually clarifies the intent.

Real Conversations

While a hallmark of formal communication, Konjunktiv I for strong verbs also permeates various layers of real German conversations and written exchanges. Its usage spectrum ranges from highly formal to subtly nuanced everyday interactions, though with varying frequency depending on the social context.

- News and Public Discourse: This is where Konjunktiv I is most consistently and rigorously applied. News anchors, journalists, and politicians employ it to convey statements, allegations, or proposals without personally endorsing them. This is essential for maintaining objectivity and clarity of attribution.

- Example (TV News): Die Partei fordere, der Mindestlohn werde erhöht. (The party demands that the minimum wage be increased.) werde is Konjunktiv I of werden.

- Example (Political Statement): Der Minister sagte, die Verhandlungen liefen gut. (The minister said the negotiations were going well.) Here, liefen is Konjunktiv II substituting for an ambiguous Konjunktiv I laufen (wir/sie).

- Professional Correspondence and Meetings: In emails, reports, or meeting summaries, Konjunktiv I is used to relay information, decisions, or instructions originating from colleagues, clients, or superiors. It ensures that the information is presented as received, not as your own direct assertion.

- Example (Work Email): Frau Klein gab zu verstehen, das Budget überschreite den(m) Plan. (Ms. Klein indicated that the budget exceeds the plan.) überschreite (from überschreiten) clearly signals reported content.

- Example (Meeting Minutes): Die Teamleiterin merkte an, die Aufgaben verteile man neu. (The team leader noted that the tasks would be redistributed.) verteile (from verteilen) denotes reported information.

- Casual Conversation (with nuance): In informal spoken German, especially among younger speakers, the Konjunktiv I is often replaced by the Indikativ for indirect speech, particularly if the Konjunktiv I form is identical to the Indikativ (e.g., wir kommen). However, distinct Konjunktiv I forms of strong verbs (like er fahre, sie gebe, es sehe) are still commonly understood and can be used to add a touch of formality, precision, or even subtle irony.

- Example (Friend reporting): Meine Schwester erzählte, ihr Freund käme morgen vorbei. (My sister told me her boyfriend would come over tomorrow.) Here, käme (KII of kommen) is used as a common substitute for ambiguous K1 forms, even for strong verbs, in spoken language.

- Example (Subtle irony): Er behauptet, er wisse alles besser. (He claims he reportedly knows everything better.) The distinct Konjunktiv I wisse (from wissen) can subtly distance the speaker from the truth of the claim.

- Online Communication (Social Media/Forums): While less prevalent in very informal chats, Konjunktiv I can appear in more serious discussions or opinion pieces online, especially if the writer aims for a more journalistic or authoritative tone. It is a stylistic choice that conveys a specific communicative intent.

C

Cultural Insight

The German linguistic preference for Konjunktiv I in formal reporting reflects a cultural value for accurate sourcing and responsibility in communication. It allows speakers and writers to maintain intellectual honesty by distinguishing between facts they assert and information they are merely relaying. This precision prevents ambiguity and supports critical evaluation of information sources.

Quick FAQ

  • Q: Why do strong verbs sometimes have Konjunktiv I forms identical to Indikativ?
  • A: The ich, wir, and sie/Sie forms of Konjunktiv I always use the -e (for ich) or -en (for wir, sie/Sie) endings. For many strong verbs, these endings do not trigger a vowel change in the Indikativ present either, leading to identical forms (e.g., ich spreche, wir fahren). The context, or sometimes a switch to Konjunktiv II, then clarifies the reported nature.
  • Q: Is it always necessary to use Konjunktiv I in indirect speech?
  • A: In formal written German (news, academic texts), yes, it is expected, especially when the Konjunktiv I form is distinct from the Indikativ. In casual spoken German, the Indikativ often replaces Konjunktiv I, but this sacrifices grammatical precision and can lead to ambiguity. For ambiguous Konjunktiv I forms (those identical to Indikativ), Konjunktiv II is a common and accepted substitute in both formal and informal contexts to ensure the reported mood is clear.
  • Q: How do I know when to use Konjunktiv I versus Konjunktiv II in reported speech?
  • A: The general rule is to use Konjunktiv I for reported speech. You only switch to Konjunktiv II if the Konjunktiv I form is identical to the Indikativ present (Präsens) form, creating ambiguity. In such cases, Konjunktiv II (or the würde construction if Konjunktiv II is also ambiguous) serves as a clear substitute to maintain the subjunctive mood. For strong verbs, many er/sie/es forms have distinct Konjunktiv I endings (e.g., fahre vs. fährt), making the Konjunktiv I the preferred choice.
  • Q: What if the reported statement was in the past? Does Konjunktiv I still apply?
  • A: Yes, Konjunktiv I can report past events. It uses the Konjunktiv I forms of the auxiliary verbs haben or sein combined with the past participle of the main verb. For example, Er sagte, sie habe das Buch gelesen. (He said she had read the book.) This topic, the Konjunktiv I Perfekt, represents a slightly more advanced application, typically addressed at C1 level, but it builds directly on the present Konjunktiv I forms of the auxiliaries.
  • Q: Why are du and ihr forms of Konjunktiv I (e.g., du sprechest, ihr fahrret) less common?
  • A: These forms, while grammatically correct, often sound very formal or even archaic in modern German, particularly in spoken contexts. In everyday communication, indirect reports involving du or ihr are frequently rephrased or simplified, often using Indikativ or context to convey the indirectness, or switching to Konjunktiv II if precision is needed. However, they remain valid in very formal written texts.
  • Q: Does Konjunktiv I imply doubt about the reported statement?
  • A: Not necessarily. While it allows for distancing from the truth, its primary function is attribution. It signals that the statement originates from someone else, not that the speaker doubts it. The speaker might perfectly well believe the reported statement. Konjunktiv II, conversely, is more explicitly tied to unreality or doubt.
  • Q: Are there strong verbs whose Konjunktiv I forms are always identical to Indikativ present?
  • A: No, not for all persons. Strong verbs generally show a distinct Konjunktiv I form in er/sie/es and du (e.g., er fahre vs. er fährt). The identity only occurs for ich, wir, and sie/Sie where the endings -e or -en are the same for both moods. This is why the Konjunktiv I of strong verbs is often emphasized as being particularly useful for clear reporting.

Konjunktiv I: Strong Verb 'gehen'

Person Konjunktiv I
ich
gehe
du
gehest
er/sie/es
gehe
wir
gehen
ihr
gehet
sie/Sie
gehen

Meanings

Konjunktiv I is used primarily in formal contexts to report speech, indicating that the information comes from a third party.

1

Reported Speech

Indirectly relaying statements made by others.

“Sie sagt, sie komme später.”

“Er behauptet, er habe {das|n} Buch gelesen.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Reporting with Style: German Konjunktiv I Strong Verbs
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Stem + e
er gehe
Negative
nicht + Verb
er gehe nicht
Question
Verb + Subject
gehe er?
Replacement
Konjunktiv II
wir gingen (statt gehen)

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Er gibt an, er komme.

Er gibt an, er komme. (Reporting an arrival)

Neutral
Er sagt, dass er kommt.

Er sagt, dass er kommt. (Reporting an arrival)

Informal
Er meint, er kommt.

Er meint, er kommt. (Reporting an arrival)

Slang
Er sagt, er ist am Start.

Er sagt, er ist am Start. (Reporting an arrival)

Konjunktiv I Usage

Konjunktiv I

Usage

  • Nachrichten News
  • Berichte Reports
  • Zitate Quotes
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Examples by Level

1

Er sagt, er gehe.

He says he is going.

2

Sie sagt, sie komme.

She says she is coming.

3

Er sagt, er sehe {das|n} Auto.

He says he sees the car.

4

Sie sagt, sie lese.

She says she is reading.

1

Er behauptet, er trinke Kaffee.

He claims he is drinking coffee.

2

Sie meint, sie finde {der|m} Weg.

She thinks she finds the way.

3

Er sagt, er laufe schnell.

He says he is running fast.

4

Sie sagt, sie singe gut.

She says she sings well.

1

Der Zeuge sagte, er habe {der|m} Mann gesehen.

The witness said he had seen the man.

2

Sie erklärte, sie gehe nach Hause.

She explained she was going home.

3

Er sagte, er komme morgen.

He said he would come tomorrow.

4

Sie behauptete, sie wisse alles.

She claimed she knew everything.

1

Der Minister betonte, die Regierung handle im Interesse {der|f} Bürger.

The minister emphasized that the government acts in the interest of the citizens.

2

Man sagt, er sei ein Genie.

They say he is a genius.

3

Sie sagte, sie habe {das|n} Projekt abgeschlossen.

She said she had finished the project.

4

Er meinte, er könne nicht kommen.

He said he couldn't come.

1

Es wurde berichtet, der Täter sei geflohen.

It was reported that the perpetrator had fled.

2

Die Studie legt nahe, dass der Effekt signifikant sei.

The study suggests that the effect is significant.

3

Er gab an, er habe von nichts gewusst.

He stated that he had known nothing.

4

Sie behauptete, sie sei die rechtmäßige Erbin.

She claimed she was the rightful heir.

1

Man munkelt, er habe sich ins Ausland abgesetzt.

Rumor has it he has fled abroad.

2

Der Autor schreibt, die Welt sei ein Theater.

The author writes that the world is a theater.

3

Es hieß, er habe die Entscheidung allein getroffen.

It was said he had made the decision alone.

4

Sie versicherte, sie habe stets nach bestem Wissen gehandelt.

She assured that she had always acted to the best of her knowledge.

Easily Confused

Reporting with Style: German Konjunktiv I Strong Verbs vs Konjunktiv I vs II

Learners mix them up because they both change the verb.

Common Mistakes

✗

Er sagt, er geht.

✓

Er sagt, er gehe.

Use Konjunktiv I for reported speech.
✗

Wir gehen.

✓

Wir gingen.

Konjunktiv I 'gehen' is identical to indicative.
✗

Er sagt, er hat gegangen.

✓

Er sagt, er sei gegangen.

Use 'sein' for perfect tense in Konjunktiv I.
✗

Er sagte, er geht.

✓

Er sagte, er gehe.

Tense sequence in reported speech.

Sentence Patterns

Er sagt, er ___ .

Real World Usage

News Report constant

Der Sprecher sagte, die Lage sei stabil.

Police Statement common

Der Zeuge gab an, er habe den Täter gesehen.

Academic Paper common

Der Autor argumentiert, die Daten seien korrekt.

Company Meeting occasional

Der Chef sagte, er sei zufrieden.

Legal Proceeding common

Der Anwalt behauptete, sein Mandant sei unschuldig.

Formal Interview common

Er sagte, er wolle das Projekt leiten.

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🎯

The 'Sei' Rule

Always remember 'sein' becomes 'sei' in Konjunktiv I. It is the most common verb used.

Smart Tips

Use Konjunktiv I.

Er sagt, er geht. → Er sagt, er gehe.

Pronunciation

ge-he

Clear endings

Ensure the -e and -en endings are articulated clearly.

Neutral reporting

Er sagt, er gehe. ↘

Falling intonation indicates a factual report.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember 'Konjunktiv I' is the 'Reporter's Mood' — it keeps the facts at arm's length.

Visual Association

Imagine a news anchor wearing a suit, holding a microphone. Every time they speak, a little bubble appears over their head with the Konjunktiv I verb form.

Rhyme

In the news, the facts are thin, use Konjunktiv I to let them in.

Story

A reporter interviews a witness. The witness says, 'I saw the thief.' The reporter writes, 'The witness said he have seen the thief.' The reporter uses Konjunktiv I to show it's the witness's claim, not their own.

Word Web

seihabegehekommewissemüsse

Challenge

Listen to a German news clip (Tagesschau) and count how many times you hear 'sei' or 'habe'.

Cultural Notes

Konjunktiv I is the gold standard for objectivity in German news.

Derived from Old High German subjunctive forms.

Conversation Starters

“

Was hat dein Freund gesagt?

Journal Prompts

Summarize a news article using Konjunktiv I.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form of 'gehen'.

Er sagt, er ___ nach Hause.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: gehe
Konjunktiv I for 3rd person singular.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

1 exercises
Fill in the correct form of 'gehen'.

Er sagt, er ___ nach Hause.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: gehe
Konjunktiv I for 3rd person singular.

Score: /1

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

Sie behauptet, sie ___ (tragen) das Kleid.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: trage
Fix the mistake Error Correction

Er meint, er gibt mir das Geld.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er meint, er gebe mir das Geld.
Put the words in order Sentence Reorder

sagt / komme / er / er / .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, er komme.
Translate to German using Konjunktiv I Translation

She says she is eating.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie sagt, sie esse.
Choose the correct form Multiple Choice

Der Minister sagt, er ___ (lesen) den Bericht.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lese
Match the Indikativ to the Konjunktiv I Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: er fährt : er fahre
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

Du sagst, du ___ (waschen) das Auto.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: waschest
Fix the mistake Error Correction

Mama sagt, das Kind schläft.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mama sagt, das Kind schlafe.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

A reporter says:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Der Präsident gebe ein Interview.
Translate to German Translation

He says he is taking the train.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, er nehme den Zug.

Score: /10

FAQ (1)

To report speech neutrally.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish partial

Subjuntivo

German is for neutrality, Spanish for subjectivity.

French partial

Subjonctif

German uses it for indirect speech.

Japanese low

Sou/Rashii

German conjugates verbs.

Arabic low

Indirect speech particles

German uses mood.

Chinese none

Ting shuo

German uses conjugation.

English low

Reported speech

German uses mood change.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Reporting what others have: Konjunktiv I (haben)

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Overview German `Konjunktiv II`, often termed the **Irrealis**, represents the mood of unreality, possibility, and desir...
B2

Reporting What Others Said: Modal Verbs (Konjunktiv I)

Overview Konjunktiv I, specifically with modal verbs, is a critical grammatical mood in German primarily employed for **...
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