VerbiB2
Konjunktiv I (indirekte Rede)
Konjunktiv I for reported speech in formal German
Obiettivo di apprendimento
Can report speech formally using Konjunktiv I
Competenze d'esame:LetturaScrittura
Guarda questi esempi. Riesci a individuare lo schema grammaticale?
Der Präsident sagte, er sei zuversichtlich.
The president said he was confident.
Die Zeitung berichtet, es gebe keine Probleme.
The newspaper reports there are no problems.
Er sagte, er habe davon nichts gewusst.
He said he had known nothing about it.
Sie behauptete, sie könne alles erklären.
She claimed she could explain everything.
Presta attenzione alle parti evidenziate. Cosa hanno in comune?
Konjunktiv I is used in formal reported speech (newspapers, academic texts) to signal that the speaker is quoting someone else.
| sein | haben | können | machen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| er/sie/es | sei | habe | könne | mache |
| sie (Pl.) | seien | hätten* | könnten* | machten* |
*When Konj. I = indicative, use Konj. II instead.
Formation: Infinitive stem + -e, -est, -e, -en, -et, -en. Most useful: 3rd person singular (er mache, sie habe, er könne).
Usage: Der Minister sagte, die Lage sei ernst. Compare: Der Minister sagte, dass die Lage ernst ist (indicative, more informal).
Past reported speech: Er sagte, er habe das nicht gewusst.
Applica questa grammatica negli esercizi del corso B2
Esercizi di pratica
- Using Konj. I in speech: Sounds very formal. In conversation, use indicative or dass-clauses.
- Identical to indicative: When Konj. I = indicative (ich mache = ich mache), switch to Konj. II.
- Confusing Konj. I and II: Konj. I = reported speech; Konj. II = hypothetical/unreal.
Schemi di errore comuni
Incorrect verb ending for the subject
Review verb conjugation tables and practice matching endings to pronouns
Forgot stem vowel change in irregular verbs
Practice stem-changing verbs (e→i, e→ie, a→ä) with flashcards
Verb placed in wrong position
Remember: V2 in main clauses, verb-final in subordinate clauses
Der Präsident sagte, er sei zuversichtlich.
The president said he was confident.
Sei = Konj. I of sein. Signals reported speech.
Die Zeitung berichtet, es gebe keine Probleme.
The newspaper reports there are no problems.
Gebe = Konj. I of geben. Formal reporting.
Er sagte, er habe davon nichts gewusst.
He said he had known nothing about it.
Habe + Partizip II = past Konj. I.
Sie behauptete, sie könne alles erklären.
She claimed she could explain everything.
Könne = Konj. I of können.
Pratica nel corso
Applica questa grammatica negli esercizi del corso B2