By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Reporting with dass
- Reporting questions
- Pronouns and time references
- Basic Konjunktiv I
- Past events in formal reporting
- Usage, exceptions and meaning
Simple explanation
Learn to report statements, questions, and recommendations with dass, ob, question words, and basic Konjunktiv I while adjusting pronouns and word order correctly.
Reporting with dass
Neutral spoken reporting often uses a reporting verb plus a dass-clause with the finite verb at the end.
Reporting questions
Use ob for yes/no questions and retain the question word in wh-questions.
Pronouns and time references
Pronouns, possessives, and time expressions must match the reporter’s perspective.
Basic Konjunktiv I
In formal texts, sei, habe, werde, and seien are the most useful starter forms.
Past events in formal reporting
Formal past reporting uses habe or sei + Partizip II: Er sagt, er habe gearbeitet; sie sei angekommen. Choose by the event's relation to the report. Do not automatically shift every verb after sagte back one tense.
Form overlap and perspective
Ich habe can be indicative or Konjunktiv I; Konjunktiv II may substitute to mark reporting clearly. Align pronouns and time expressions with actual speakers. Morgen can remain unchanged in the same reporting frame. Do not impose context-free pronoun or time changes.
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Report from the reporter's perspective rather than blindly swapping pronouns. Dass + indicative is common in speech; formal Konjunktiv I marks reported status, not necessarily falsehood. Past events commonly use habe/sei + Partizip II. If Konjunktiv I coincides with indicative, Konjunktiv II can substitute. Do not impose mechanical English-style tense backshift on German.
Usage reference table
| Pattern or function | Target-language model |
|---|---|
| Reporting with dass | Anna sagt: 'Ich komme morgen.' → Anna sagt, dass sie morgen kommt. |
| Reporting questions | 'Ist Anna hier?' → Tom fragt, ob Anna hier ist. |
| Pronouns and time references | Tom sagt: 'Ich bin müde.' → Tom sagt, dass er müde ist. |
| Basic Konjunktiv I | Anna sagt: 'Ich bin müde.' → Konjunktiv I: Anna sagt, sie sei müde. |
| Basic Konjunktiv I | Anna sagt: 'Ich habe keine Zeit.' → Konjunktiv I: Anna sagt, sie habe keine Zeit. |
| Meaning in context | Anna sagt, sie sei krank. |
Grammar formula
Statement with dass
Redeeinleitung + dass + Subjekt + ... + finites VerbAnna sagt, dass sie morgen kommt.
Indirect question
Frageeinleitung + ob/W-Wort + Subjekt + ... + finites VerbTom fragt, ob wir Zeit haben.
Formal reporting with Konjunktiv I
Redeeinleitung + Subjekt + Konjunktiv I + ...Anna sagt, sie sei krank.
Konjunktiv II to distinguish the form
Konjunktiv I = Indikativ → unterscheidbarer Konjunktiv IISie sagen, sie hätten keine Zeit.
Core rules
- 1
Reporting with dass
Neutral spoken reporting often uses a reporting verb plus a dass-clause with the finite verb at the end.
- 2
Reporting questions
Use ob for yes/no questions and retain the question word in wh-questions.
- 3
Pronouns and time references
Pronouns, possessives, and time expressions must match the reporter’s perspective.
- 4
Basic Konjunktiv I
In formal texts, sei, habe, werde, and seien are the most useful starter forms.
- 5
Past events in formal reporting
Formal past reporting uses habe or sei + Partizip II: Er sagt, er habe gearbeitet; sie sei angekommen. Choose by the event's relation to the report. Do not automatically shift every verb after sagte back one tense.
- 6
Form overlap and perspective
Ich habe can be indicative or Konjunktiv I; Konjunktiv II may substitute to mark reporting clearly. Align pronouns and time expressions with actual speakers. Morgen can remain unchanged in the same reporting frame. Do not impose context-free pronoun or time changes.
- 7
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Report from the reporter's perspective rather than blindly swapping pronouns. Dass + indicative is common in speech; formal Konjunktiv I marks reported status, not necessarily falsehood. Past events commonly use habe/sei + Partizip II. If Konjunktiv I coincides with indicative, Konjunktiv II can substitute. Do not impose mechanical English-style tense backshift on German.
Useful examples
Mia sagt, dass sie morgen kommt.
Mia says that she is coming tomorrow.
At B1, a dass-clause is the most common neutral reporting form.
Er sagt: „Ich bin müde.“ → Er sagt, dass er müde ist.
He says, “I am tired.” → He says that he is tired.
The pronoun and verb position adapt to the new structure.
Lena meint, sie habe keine Zeit.
Lena says she has no time.
In formal German, Konjunktiv I signals distance from the claim.
Tom erklärt, dass der Zug Verspätung hat.
Tom explains that the train is delayed.
Sagen, erklären, meinen, and berichten are common reporting verbs.
Sie fragt, ob du heute arbeitest.
She asks whether you are working today.
An indirect yes/no question uses ob.
Er möchte wissen, wann der Kurs beginnt.
He wants to know when the course starts.
In an indirect question, the verb moves to the end.
Die Ärztin sagt, ich soll mich ausruhen.
The doctor says that I should rest.
Sollen is natural when reporting an instruction or recommendation.
Paul berichtet, dass er die Prüfung bestanden hat.
Paul reports that he passed the exam.
German does not normally require English-style backshifting in everyday B1 speech.
Laut Anna ist das Museum geschlossen.
According to Anna, the museum is closed.
Laut is useful for concise reporting in news and writing.
Er behauptet, er sei unschuldig.
He claims that he is innocent.
The reporting verb expresses the speaker’s stance.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Anna sagt: 'Ich komme morgen.' → Anna sagt, dass sie morgen kommen. ✅ Anna sagt: 'Ich komme morgen.' → Anna sagt, dass sie morgen kommt.
- ❌ 'Ist Anna hier?' → Tom fragt, wenn Anna hier ist. ✅ 'Ist Anna hier?' → Tom fragt, ob Anna hier ist.
- ❌ Tom sagt: 'Ich bin müde.' → Tom sagt, dass ihn müde ist. ✅ Tom sagt: 'Ich bin müde.' → Tom sagt, dass er müde ist.
- ❌ Anna sagt: 'Ich bin müde.' → Konjunktiv I: Anna sagt, sie seien müde. ✅ Anna sagt: 'Ich bin müde.' → Konjunktiv I: Anna sagt, sie sei müde.
- ❌ Anna sagt: 'Ich habe keine Zeit.' → Konjunktiv I: Anna sagt, sie habest keine Zeit. ✅ Anna sagt: 'Ich habe keine Zeit.' → Konjunktiv I: Anna sagt, sie habe keine Zeit.
- ❌ Anna sagt, sie sei krank. → common reporting with indicative mood ✅ Anna sagt, sie sei krank. → formal reporting marked by Konjunktiv I
Learning tips
- Transform direct speech in three steps: reporting verb, pronouns, verb position.
- Master dass and ob first, then add Konjunktiv I.
- Highlight reporting verbs in short news texts.
- Compare direct and indirect versions aloud.
Use it in your own text
Write six new sentences about your life, experiences or views. Use the rules and table and check why each form fits. The models are illustrations; you need not force every form into one text. This is self-assessment; the test score is recorded separately.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Reporting with dass”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Reporting questions”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Pronouns and time references”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Basic Konjunktiv I”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Past events in formal reporting”.
- Compare the form and meaning of two of your examples and explain the difference.
Show the model
Mia sagt, dass sie morgen kommt. Er sagt: „Ich bin müde.“ → Er sagt, dass er müde ist. Lena meint, sie habe keine Zeit. Tom erklärt, dass der Zug Verspätung hat. Sie fragt, ob du heute arbeitest. Er möchte wissen, wann der Kurs beginnt.
Check your own work
- My intended meaning fits the chosen construction.
- I checked subject, verb form, case/preposition and word order.
- I adapted the models to my own context and considered the exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Frequently asked questions
What matters for “Reporting with dass”?
Neutral spoken reporting often uses a reporting verb plus a dass-clause with the finite verb at the end.
What matters for “Reporting questions”?
Use ob for yes/no questions and retain the question word in wh-questions.
What matters for “Pronouns and time references”?
Pronouns, possessives, and time expressions must match the reporter’s perspective.
What matters for “Basic Konjunktiv I”?
In formal texts, sei, habe, werde, and seien are the most useful starter forms.
What matters for “Past events in formal reporting”?
Formal past reporting uses habe or sei + Partizip II: Er sagt, er habe gearbeitet; sie sei angekommen. Choose by the event's relation to the report. Do not automatically shift every verb after sagte back one tense.
What matters for “Form overlap and perspective”?
Ich habe can be indicative or Konjunktiv I; Konjunktiv II may substitute to mark reporting clearly. Align pronouns and time expressions with actual speakers. Morgen can remain unchanged in the same reporting frame. Do not impose context-free pronoun or time changes.
What matters for “Usage, exceptions and meaning”?
Report from the reporter's perspective rather than blindly swapping pronouns. Dass + indicative is common in speech; formal Konjunktiv I marks reported status, not necessarily falsehood. Past events commonly use habe/sei + Partizip II. If Konjunktiv I coincides with indicative, Konjunktiv II can substitute. Do not impose mechanical English-style tense backshift on German.
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