Konjunktiv I (indirect speech)
B2 · Upper-Intermediate · Style & Precision
The rule
er sei, er habe, er komme. Used for reported speech.
How it works
Konjunktiv I is used in formal writing and news to report what someone else said, without endorsing it. Forms such as er sei (he is), er habe (he has) and sie komme (she comes) are used. When the Konjunktiv I form is identical to the indicative, Konjunktiv II is used instead. In everyday speech, reported speech usually uses the indicative or würde.
When to use it
Report what someone said in formal writing and news with the Konjunktiv I: er sei, er habe, er komme.
Use cases
- Reporting a politician's statement: Der Minister sagte, er sei mit dem Ergebnis zufrieden
- Summarising an interview in writing: Sie erklärte, sie habe keine Zeit
- Writing an academic summary of other authors: Der Autor meint, die Methode sei fehlerhaft
Examples
- Er sagt, er sei krank – He says he is ill
- Sie sagt, sie komme morgen. – She says she is coming tomorrow.
- Er behauptet, er habe das Buch nie gelesen. – He claims he never read the book.
- Die Ministerin betonte, die Reform werde bald beginnen. – The minister stressed the reform would begin soon.
Common mistake
Using the Konjunktiv I in everyday conversation, where the indicative or Konjunktiv II is usual.
Memory tip
Konjunktiv I is used in news reports and formal writing. If its form is the same as the indicative, switch to Konjunktiv II.
Read the wider picture in our guide: German Verbs and Word Order: Tenses, Modals and Sentence Structure.