Konjunktive und indirekte Rede
(Subjunctives and Indirect Speech)
Preface
As in many languages, familiarity with the forms of verb inflection is prerequisite to understanding the topic of subjunctives and indirect speech. Thus one may be familiar with the inflections table of the regular verbs, which is one of fundamental import. The table's Tempus (i.e. tense) coordination applies strictly, yet only for the Indikativ forms. Tempus coordination for the Konjunktiv forms follows the rules discussed in this page and is decoupled from the formal Tempus associations in the table. See also Tempus decoupling under Würde forms, in this page.
Attempts to gain an understanding of this topic from interpreting English grammar equivalents would seem to be limited to some conversational elements of German. There are only three rules mandating use of the subjunctive in the English language. By comparison, we can count at least 12 application rules in the German grammar. The English grammar does use a conditional, though only in minimal form, whereas the German grammar uses no conditional. There are many pitfalls, when one tries to interprete just what is equivalent, and what is not, between the two grammars. We believe users of this grammar, translators and interpreters in particular, may consider helpful a summary of pertinent grammatical rules in the English grammar. See near the end of this page or click at the Table of Contents, below.
Our following presentation is confined to a set of several self consistent rules that seem to comprehensively cover at least 90 % of all applications of the subjunctive in current German use and style.
Indikativ forms can almost always be used instead of Konjunktiv I or II, when (a) the essence is made clear. Example: Papa, du hast mir versprochen, du kaufst mir ein neues Rad. Er sagt, daß er kommen wird (not: er sagt er wird kommen). And, (b), with certain Modaladverbien, Modalverben, or modal verb groups that can tilt the mood towards the subjunctive. These are sicherlich, meiner (unserer, eurer, ihrer) Meinung nach, meines Erachtens, ich vermute, kann, muß. Examples: Er ist sicherlich zu Hause, Sie wird vielleicht kommen. Zweifellos war es das beste, die Fahrt abzubrechen. Er vermutet, daß es regnen wird. Es wird schon wieder schneien.
Indikativ should be used in conditional phrases when stating a reality. That is statements about something real, formulating a feasible condition or something doable. Both clauses of a conditional sentence must be in the same Modus. See also below (Sec. 2, Konjunktiv II).
Examples: Wenn es regnet sind die Straßen naß. Wenn ein Polygon vier Winkel hat, ist es ein Viereck.
Application Rules Konjunktiv I
As far as percent usage is concerned, the Konjunktiv forms are used much less than the Indikativ forms. Konjunktiv forms are mandated, however, in many applications. Failure to use the Konjunktiv changes the meaning, as can easily be verified. Following are the mandatory Konjunktiv I applications, not including those in the indirect speech.
To express a desire whose realization appears possible. Example: Gut, möge er recht haben! (By contrast, "gut, mag er recht haben" would simply say "well, let him be right" and not express the wish "well, may he be right!")
To express a demand, particularly one directed at a 3.Person Singular or Plural. Example: Man nehme 1 Teelöffel Zucker ...., gebe ihn in die Tasse.
In concession phrases (Konzessivsätze); frequently with the Modalverb mögen in Präsens or Konjunktiv I form. Examples: Was er auch immer wünsche, mir soll es recht sein. Was immer geschehen möge, wir werden es mit Ruhe ertragen.
In a dependent phrase, to idicate that one wants not to commit the truthfulness of someone else's communication. Examples: Paul ist nicht zum Unterricht gekommen, weil er (wie er sagte) Kopfschmerzen habe. Er will den Zug versäumt haben, weil der Bus nicht rechtzeitig gefahren sei. Er sagt, er werde kommen. (Not: er sagt, daß er kommen werde).
Sometimes in final phrases (Finalsätze), frequently with the Konjunktion damit. The facts, upon which the Finalsatz depends, are frequently stated in a past tense. Examples: Der Vater gab dem Sohn Geld, damit er sich einen Anzug kaufe. Ich brachte ihm meinen Regenschirm, damit er nicht naß werde.
Application Rules for Konjunktiv II
Though the Konjunktiv II forms of irregular verbs do exist, one can use their würde form for improved style. See Würde Form, below! The würde form seems to be preferred in all but the most frequently used irregular verbs, which, of course, include the auxiliary verbs and modular verbs. In oral communication, the würde form is always accepted, except for the auxiliary and modal verbs. For more on this topic, go to Irregular Konjunktiv II forms, which includes an applications listing of the irregular verbs.
Use Konjunktiv II to express matters one only imagines, though they have not occured and actually cannot occur. One only imagines them to be real. When expressing this in a conditional sentence, both of its clauses must have the same Modus. Examples real (a) versus imaginary (b):
(a) Wenn die Reparatur gemacht worden ist, dann hat man es gewußt. Wenn er den 17 Uhr Zug nimmt, kommt er noch rechtzeitig heim.
(b) Wenn die Reparatur gemacht worden wäre, dann hätte man es gwußt. Wenn er den 17 Uhr Zug nähme, käme er noch rechtzeitig heim.
Konjunktiv II Coordination
Indikativ quotation of facts
The corresponding
Konjunktiv II formulation
Expression in Präsens, Futur I or II
"Es heilt."
"Es wird heilen."
"Es wird geheilt haben."
Use the Verb or Modalverb in Konjunktiv II
Es heilte
Es würde heilen
Es würde geheilt haben
Expression in the past
"Es heilte."
"Es mußte heilen."
Use haben/sein in Konjunktiv II + either Partizip II,
or Modalverb in Ersatzinifinitiv form
Es hätte geheilt.
Es hätte heilen müssen.
When Konjunktiv I (Präsens) and Indicativ Präsens are identical in form, then the Konjunktiv II, or a Modalverb + Infinitiv, is used; however, only wenn there is no Konjunktiv II in a connecting clause or alreadey clear reference to a Konjunktiv II. Examples: Ich habe nicht geglaubt, daß er die Rechnung bezahlen würde. Wir gingen ins Theater, wenn mein Freund mitkäme. ("Wir gingen" being an ambiguous form, "mitkommen" is cast in Konjunktiv II). Wir würden ins Theater gehen, wenn uns mein Freund besucht.
In irreal conditional phrases; particularly in a clause with the conjunction wenn. Examples: Der arme Mann! Wenn ihm doch jemand was schenken wollte! Mit einem besseren Diplom könnten Sie bei unserer Firma arbeiten. Wenn er gewinnen würde, könnte er es tun. Auch wenn man mir 1000 Mark anbieten würde, verkaufte ich es nicht.
In phrases with an irreal desire, with or without wenn, and frequently with doch. Examples: Wenn doch mein Vater käme! Wenn ich diesen Fehler doch nicht gemacht hätte!
In dependent phrases with an irreal comparison, after any of the conjunctions als, als ob, als wenn. Example: Er gibt so viel Geld aus, als wäre er ein Millionär.
In dependent phrases, upon the negating conjunction ohne daß . Example: Es wird schon lange daran gearbeitet, ohne daß man einen Fortschritt sehen könnte. (= For a long time already, one has been working on it, although one can see no progress). Note the drastic change in meaning when this is put in indicative form: Es wird schon lange daran gearbeitet, ohne einen Fortschritt zu sehen. (= For a long time already, one has been working on it, not seeing any progress.)
Note, a comparison is started with als daß, when depending upon an adjective or adverb. Then it uses Konjunktiv II. Example: Ich habe zu wenig Geld, als daß ich ein Haus kaufen könnte.
In polite requests addressed to 2.Person Singular or Plural, frequently phrased in würde form. Examples: Hätten Sie die Liebenswürdigkeit, bald hierher zu kommen? Würden Sie bitte den Auftrag so bald wie möglich erfüllen. Wir wären Ihnen zu Dank verpflichtet, wenn Sie die Zahlungsfrist genau beachten wollen.
Würde Form
Usage: würde + Infinitive. Example: Ich würde helfen. For the inflected forms of würde, see Hilfs- und Modalverben. See also the above application notes for Konjunktiv II.
An illustration of Tempus decoupling in direct speech is the würde Konjunktiv II forms, which are formally Futur I forms. In a trend progressing with time, the würde forms are used with irregular verbs, to replace their irregular Präterit Konjunktiv II form. Example: Wenn er gewinnen würde (not gewönne), könnte er es tun.
The würde form can also be used with regular verbs to emphasize the fact of such being Konjunktiv II. Example: Wenn man ihm das sagen würde (instead of sagte), hätte er sein Vertrauen bald verloren.
Modus ChangeNote: Modus change is legal when reflecting a reality. Example: Wenn wir hier übernachten müßten, dann werden wir sehr früh aufbrechen.
Indirekte Rede (Indirect Speech)
Indirekte Rede is the most frequent application of Konjunktiv I and II. A shift from direct - i.e. quoting - speech to indirect speech offers several alternatives, in which the Tempus changes according to certain rules. For an example, following are Konjunktiv versions that relate to the direct speech statement: Karl behaupted "davon habe ich nichts gewußt."
Karl behauptet, daß er davon nichts gewußt habe. Karl behaupted davon nichts gewußt zu haben. Karl will davon nichts gewußt haben. Wie Karl behauptet, hat er davon nichts gewußt.
Following are the rules.
When the indicative form is retained, then so is the Tempus. Examples: Ich sagte ihm: "Es ist Schluß damit." ---> Ich sagte ihm, daß es Schluß damit ist.
Similarly so in promises and agreements. Examples: Sie sprach: "Ich werde Sie benachrichtigen." ---> Sie versprach, daß sie ihn benachrichtigen wird (not: benachrichtigte).
In all other situations, the Tempus shift rules apply. See the table and examples following, where würde form is the same as Fut I Konjunktiv II - see Konjugationsmuster.
Sequence
Direct speech
Indicativ Tempus
Indirect speech
Konjunktiv Tempus
1.
Präsens
"Es heilt schon."
Präsens; Präterium / würde form
..., daß es schon heile;
..., daß es schon heilte /heilen würde.
2.
Präterium, Plusquamperfekt
"Es heilte schon." "Es hatte schon geheilt."
Perfekt; Plusquamperfekt
..., daß es schon geheilt habe;
...., daß es schon geheilt hätte.
3.
Perfekt
"Es hat schon geheilt."
Perfekt; Plusquamperfekt / würde form
..., daß es schon geheilt habe;
...., daß es schon geheilt hätte / geheilt haben würde.
4.
Futur I
"Es wird schon heilen."
Futur I / würde form
..., daß es schon heilen werde /heilen würde.
5.
Futur II
"Es wird schon geheilt haben."
Futur II / würde form
..., daß es schon geheilt haben werde /
geheilt haben würde.
Examples per Sequence 2:
Karl wird sagen: "Es heilte gleich." ===> Karl wird sagen, es habe gleich geheilt.
Karl wird sagen: "Es heilte gleich." ===> Karl wird sagen, es hätte gleich geheilt.
Karl sagte: "Es heilte gleich." ===> Karl sagte, es habe/hätte gleich geheilt.
Karl hatte gesagt: "Es heilte gleich." ===> Karl hatte gesagt, es habe/hätte gleich geheilt.
There is no difference in meaning among the Konjunktiv choices within any of the five Sequences. Good style tends to favor a simple form, unambiguous clarity provided. Consequently, Konjunktiv I Präsens is generally preferred over compound forms. Concerning irregular verbs, good style calls for avoiding seldom used forms, in favor of the applicable würde form. Refer to our Konjugationsmuster. The würde form is naturally appealing to speakers, it being unambiguous and convincingly simple to form.
Use of Subjunctive Mood and Conditionals in English
Our reference is J.C.Hodges, M.E.Whitten, "Harbrace College Handbook," 9th Ed., Harcourt Brace Jovanovich (1982).
Distinctive forms of the subjunctive are expressed only
in the present tense and past tenses of to be (am, are, is, was, were), and
in the present tense of other verbs, which are then used as predicate of a third-person singular subject.
However, with the exceptions enumerated below, the meaning of subjunctive and indicative is the same. Examples of subjunctinve versus indicative:
Suppose she were to lose. Suppose she loses.
I will ask that he do this. I will ask him to do this.
It is necessary that we be on time. We must be on time.
Actually required is the subjunctive only in the following three types of phrase.
In formal English, to express a condition contrary to fact. Example: Drive as if every other car were out to kill you. (Esquire)
In that clauses of demand, command, parlamentary motion, and recommendation. Examples:
I move that the bill be paid.
I recommend that a letter be written.
In a few idiomatic expressions:
If need be....
Suffice it to say....
Come what may....
Conditional
Unlike German, the English language uses a conditional. Much unlike Spanish (condicional simple: yo nunca bebería eso), French (conditionnel: je ne boirais ça jamais), and other languages, English uses only the two forms should and would (I would never drink that). Should implies a mild obligation, and would is used to express a customary action. The use of would have as a substitute for had is unacceptable. Examples:
If I had (not: would have) a dog, I would now take it for a walk.
She said she would arrive at seven.
I would spend hours lying on the beach.
If I should resign, the program would not be continued.
I would like to have won that prize.
He said, he would have liked to win that prize.
One can conclude:
The rules for the conditional apply whether a phrase is in indirect speech or not.
There is a subjunctive and a conditional in the English language, and no subjunctive II. The Konjunktiv I and Konjunktiv II exist in several appearance forms, in the German language. That is Konjunktiv I in the tenses presence, present perfect, future, and future perfect. Konjunktiv II appears in the tenses preterite, plusquaperfect, future and past future. There is no conditional in German, the form werde being Konjunktiv I, and würde Konjunktiv II, both of the auxiliary verb werden.
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