By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Reporting another source
- The forms of sein
- Haben, werden and regular verbs
- Relative time in reporting
- Resolving identical forms
- Word order and faithful reporting
Simple explanation
Konjunktiv I is a German verb form mainly used for indirect speech. It allows speakers and writers to report another person's words without confirming whether the information is true. This structure is especially common in news reports, interviews, official statements, and formal writing.
Reporting another source
Konjunktiv I attributes information to another source: Anna sagt, sie sei krank. It marks reported attribution, not automatic falsehood, doubt or verified truth. Everyday speech also commonly reports with indicative forms.
The forms of sein
Key forms are ich sei, du seiest/seist, er/sie/es sei, wir seien, ihr seiet, sie/Sie seien. Convert reference to the reporting viewpoint, then agree with that subject; sei is not the form for every person.
Haben, werden and regular verbs
Third-person singular examples include er habe, er werde and er komme. Keep the lexical verb in its appropriate position: er werde morgen kommen. Distinguish Konjunktiv I -e from indicative -t, as in er kommt.
Relative time in reporting
Earlier events can use er habe gearbeitet or er sei gegangen; future reference can use er werde kommen. Past sagte does not trigger mechanical English-style backshift. Clarify time expressions such as gestern and morgen from the reporting viewpoint.
Resolving identical forms
When Konjunktiv I matches the indicative, Konjunktiv II may distinguish the report: sie sagen, sie hätten Zeit. Hätten here need not be counterfactual. Original, substitute and indicative choices also depend on register and the need for disambiguation.
Word order and faithful reporting
Without dass, reported statements normally use verb-second order: sie sei krank. With dass, the finite verb is final: dass sie krank sei. Preserve reference and content; replacing sagen with behaupten can change the report's stance.
Konjunktiv I paradigm
Some forms match the indicative. Konjunktiv II may distinguish a report without making it counterfactual.
| Person | sein | haben | werden |
|---|---|---|---|
| First singular | sei | habe | werde |
| Second singular | seiest / seist | habest | werdest |
| Third singular | sei | habe | werde |
| First plural | seien | haben | werden |
| Second plural | seiet | habet | werdet |
| Third plural / formal Sie | seien | haben | werden |
Grammar formula
Reporting another source
Redeeinleitung + Subjekt + Konjunktiv I + ...Anna sagt, sie sei krank.
The forms of sein
sein im Konjunktiv I: sei / seiest / sei / seien / seiet / seienDie Gäste sagen, sie seien zufrieden.
Haben, werden and regular verbs
haben/werden im Konjunktiv I, 3. Person Singular: habe/werdeTom sagt, er habe Zeit.
Relative time in reporting
Subjekt + habe/sei (konjugiert) + ... + Partizip IIMia berichtet, sie sei früh angekommen.
Resolving identical forms
Konjunktiv I = Indikativ → unterscheidbare Ersatzform im Konjunktiv IISie sagen, sie hätten keine Zeit.
Word order and faithful reporting
Redeeinleitung + dass + Subjekt + ... + Konjunktiv IAnna sagt, dass sie krank sei.
Core rules
- 1
Reporting another source
Konjunktiv I attributes information to another source: Anna sagt, sie sei krank. It marks reported attribution, not automatic falsehood, doubt or verified truth. Everyday speech also commonly reports with indicative forms.
- 2
The forms of sein
Key forms are ich sei, du seiest/seist, er/sie/es sei, wir seien, ihr seiet, sie/Sie seien. Convert reference to the reporting viewpoint, then agree with that subject; sei is not the form for every person.
- 3
Haben, werden and regular verbs
Third-person singular examples include er habe, er werde and er komme. Keep the lexical verb in its appropriate position: er werde morgen kommen. Distinguish Konjunktiv I -e from indicative -t, as in er kommt.
- 4
Relative time in reporting
Earlier events can use er habe gearbeitet or er sei gegangen; future reference can use er werde kommen. Past sagte does not trigger mechanical English-style backshift. Clarify time expressions such as gestern and morgen from the reporting viewpoint.
- 5
Resolving identical forms
When Konjunktiv I matches the indicative, Konjunktiv II may distinguish the report: sie sagen, sie hätten Zeit. Hätten here need not be counterfactual. Original, substitute and indicative choices also depend on register and the need for disambiguation.
- 6
Word order and faithful reporting
Without dass, reported statements normally use verb-second order: sie sei krank. With dass, the finite verb is final: dass sie krank sei. Preserve reference and content; replacing sagen with behaupten can change the report's stance.
Useful examples
Er sagt, er sei krank.
He says that he is sick.
Die Sprecherin erklärt, sie habe keine weiteren Informationen.
The spokesperson explains that she has no further information.
Der Journalist berichtet, der Präsident komme morgen.
The journalist reports that the president is coming tomorrow.
Sie sagt, sie wohne seit fünf Jahren in Berlin.
She says that she has lived in Berlin for five years.
Der Arzt meint, der Patient brauche mehr Ruhe.
The doctor thinks that the patient needs more rest.
Die Firma teilt mit, sie erhöhe die Preise.
The company announces that it is increasing prices.
Er behauptet, er kenne die Antwort nicht.
He claims that he does not know the answer.
Die Zeitung schreibt, das Wetter bleibe schlecht.
The newspaper writes that the weather will remain bad.
Sie erklärt, sie werde später zurückkommen.
She explains that she will return later.
Der Sprecher sagt, die Arbeiten seien abgeschlossen.
The spokesperson says that the work has been completed.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Anna sagt: 'Ich bin krank.' → Konjunktiv I: Anna sagt, sie seien krank. ✅ Anna sagt: 'Ich bin krank.' → Konjunktiv I: Anna sagt, sie sei krank.
- ❌ Die Gäste sagen: 'Wir sind zufrieden.' → Konjunktiv I: Sie sagen, sie sei zufrieden. ✅ Die Gäste sagen: 'Wir sind zufrieden.' → Konjunktiv I: Sie sagen, sie seien zufrieden.
- ❌ Anna sagt: 'Ich habe Zeit.' → Konjunktiv I: Anna sagt, sie habest Zeit. ✅ Anna sagt: 'Ich habe Zeit.' → Konjunktiv I: Anna sagt, sie habe Zeit.
- ❌ Konjunktiv I: Anna sagt, sie habe gestern angekommen. ✅ Konjunktiv I: Anna sagt, sie sei gestern angekommen.
- ❌ Als eindeutige Konjunktiv-II-Ersatzform: Sie sagen, sie haben Zeit. ✅ Als eindeutige Konjunktiv-II-Ersatzform: Sie sagen, sie hätten Zeit.
- ❌ Anna berichtet, sie sei seit Montag krank. → A hypothesis or situation different from reality ✅ Anna berichtet, sie sei seit Montag krank. → Attributing information to another source
Learning tips
- When Konjunktiv I matches the indicative, Konjunktiv II may distinguish the report: sie sagen, sie hätten Zeit. Hätten here need not be counterfactual. Original, substitute and indicative choices also depend on register and the need for disambiguation.
- Without dass, reported statements normally use verb-second order: sie sei krank. With dass, the finite verb is final: dass sie krank sei. Preserve reference and content; replacing sagen with behaupten can change the report's stance.
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 another source”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “The forms of sein”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Haben, werden and regular verbs”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Relative time in reporting”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Resolving identical forms”.
- Compare the form and meaning of two of your examples and explain the difference.
Show the model
Er sagt, er sei krank. Die Sprecherin erklärt, sie habe keine weiteren Informationen. Der Journalist berichtet, der Präsident komme morgen. Sie sagt, sie wohne seit fünf Jahren in Berlin. Der Arzt meint, der Patient brauche mehr Ruhe. Die Firma teilt mit, sie erhöhe die Preise.
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
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What matters for “Reporting another source”?
Konjunktiv I attributes information to another source: Anna sagt, sie sei krank. It marks reported attribution, not automatic falsehood, doubt or verified truth. Everyday speech also commonly reports with indicative forms.
What matters for “The forms of sein”?
Key forms are ich sei, du seiest/seist, er/sie/es sei, wir seien, ihr seiet, sie/Sie seien. Convert reference to the reporting viewpoint, then agree with that subject; sei is not the form for every person.
What matters for “Haben, werden and regular verbs”?
Third-person singular examples include er habe, er werde and er komme. Keep the lexical verb in its appropriate position: er werde morgen kommen. Distinguish Konjunktiv I -e from indicative -t, as in er kommt.
What matters for “Relative time in reporting”?
Earlier events can use er habe gearbeitet or er sei gegangen; future reference can use er werde kommen. Past sagte does not trigger mechanical English-style backshift. Clarify time expressions such as gestern and morgen from the reporting viewpoint.
What matters for “Resolving identical forms”?
When Konjunktiv I matches the indicative, Konjunktiv II may distinguish the report: sie sagen, sie hätten Zeit. Hätten here need not be counterfactual. Original, substitute and indicative choices also depend on register and the need for disambiguation.
What matters for “Word order and faithful reporting”?
Without dass, reported statements normally use verb-second order: sie sei krank. With dass, the finite verb is final: dass sie krank sei. Preserve reference and content; replacing sagen with behaupten can change the report's stance.
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