Grammar

B2

German reported speech

Reported speech marks distance from a claim. Learn Konjunktiv I patterns used in formal German.

  • Konjunktiv I for reporting
  • When writers switch to Konjunktiv II
  • News-style practice tasks
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Reported speech

Formal German often uses Konjunktiv I to report what someone said without confirming it as fact — common in news writing.

Er sagt, er sei müde.

He says that he is tired.

Sie sagt, sie habe keine Zeit.

She says that she has no time.

Die Zeitung berichtet, der Minister sei zurückgetreten.

The newspaper reports that the minister resigned.

When Konjunktiv I looks identical to the indicative, writers often switch to Konjunktiv II (wäre, hätte, würde).