< Index

Special Subjunctive

Usually called Konjunktiv I in German, the special subjunctive expresses indirect discourse (reported speech). This form is rarely used in spoken German, but can often be found in written German, especially in newspaper articles. The forms of the special subjunctive are derived from the infinitive of the verb.

Present tense of the special subjunctive

This tense is used to report what a person said is happening or will happen. The verb forms are derived from the infinitive of the verb. Examples:

In cases where the special subjunctive form and the indicative (i.e. the "normal") verb form are identical, the general subjunctive form is used instead, for example sie müssten instead of sie müssen, or sie führen instead of sie fahren. Example sentences:

Past tense of the special subjunctive

This tense is used to report what a person says happened. A composite tense, the past tense of the special subjuncitve is formed with forms of sein and haben and the past participle of the verb.

Forms of the auxiliary verbs:

Haben

Sein

Example sentences:

See also:

Subjunctive
General subjunctive