B2-5 · Passing on what someone said
Communication
Report a conversation with present Konjunktiv I forms and keep reported words separate from your own account.
About 5 minutes to read · 12 quiz questions
01
An unclear appointment
Mila and Ben understood an appointment differently. To report Mila's version, use Konjunktiv I. It marks the words as someone else's account, without automatically agreeing or disagreeing.
Mila sagt, der Termin sei am Donnerstag.
Mila says the appointment is on Thursday.
Ben erklärt, er habe eine andere Uhrzeit notiert.
Ben explains that he noted a different time.
Mila sagt, sie komme um zehn Uhr.
Mila says she is coming at ten.
Ben fragt nach, weil die Nachricht unklar ist.
Ben asks for clarification because the message is unclear.
For third-person singular reports, learn ist → sei, hat → habe and kommt → komme. The report can follow a comma without dass and keep main-clause word order.
02
Change the viewpoint
When you pass on a message, pronouns must fit the new speaker's viewpoint. If Mila says Ich brauche Zeit, report Mila sagt, sie brauche Zeit. Konjunktiv I does not require shifting the message into the past.
Mila sagt, sie brauche eine klare Bestätigung.
Mila says she needs a clear confirmation.
Ben meint, die Einladung enthalte einen Fehler.
Ben thinks the invitation contains a mistake.
Er erklärt, er verstehe Milas Verwirrung.
He explains that he understands Mila's confusion.
Mila betont, ihr Kalender sei aktuell.
Mila stresses that her calendar is up to date.
Regular third-person singular forms often end in -e: brauche, meine, verstehe. The special form sei is worth learning separately. This chapter uses forms clearly different from the ordinary present.
03
Report without adding a verdict
A short summary can preserve both accounts. In a clause introduced by dass, the conjugated verb moves to the end. Complete the reports, then notice how the final line returns to an ordinary statement.
Ben sagt, dass die Nachricht missverständlich sei.
Ben says that the message is ambiguous.
Mila erklärt, sie habe die richtige Adresse.
Mila explains that she has the correct address.
Ben sagt, er bestätige den Termin schriftlich.
Ben says he will confirm the appointment in writing.
Beide vergleichen jetzt ihre Kalender.
Both now compare their calendars.
Der Termin sei … reports an account. Der Termin ist … states it directly. Konjunktiv I leaves the truth of the statement open; it does not mean the speaker is lying.
Ready to try it?
Check what you remember with 12 short questions.
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