Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood in German is used to express wishes, possibilities, and hypothetical situations. It often appears in subordinate clauses following certain verbs or expressions. In this guide, we will provide an introduction to the subjunctive mood and some practical tips on how to use it effectively.

1. Introduction to the Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is a grammatical mood used to express actions or ideas that are hypothetical, uncertain, or contrary to reality. In German, there are two main forms of the subjunctive mood: the present subjunctive (Konjunktiv I) and the past subjunctive (Konjunktiv II).

2. Using the Subjunctive Mood in German

To form the subjunctive mood, you generally need to change the verb endings. However, keep in mind that the subjunctive mood is not commonly used in spoken German. It is mainly used in formal writing, such as in newspaper articles, legal documents, or academic papers.

2.1 Present Subjunctive (Konjunktiv I)

The present subjunctive is used to express wishes, commands, or possibilities. To form the present subjunctive, follow these steps:

1. Start with the verb stem. For regular verbs, this is the infinitive form without the "-en" ending.
2. Add the appropriate verb endings for the present subjunctive.

Example: sein (to be)

ich sei
du seist
er/sie/es sei
wir seien
ihr seiet
sie/Sie seien

2.2 Past Subjunctive (Konjunktiv II)

The past subjunctive is used to express hypothetical or unreal situations in the past. To form the past subjunctive, follow these steps:

1. Start with the verb stem. For regular verbs, this is the infinitive form without the "-en" ending.
2. Add the appropriate verb endings for the past subjunctive.

Example: haben (to have)

ich hätte
du hättest
er/sie/es hätte
wir hätten
ihr hättet
sie/Sie hätten

3. Triggers for Subjunctive Mood

Certain verbs or expressions in German trigger the subjunctive mood when used in subordinate clauses. It is important to pay attention to these triggers to ensure correct usage of the subjunctive mood. Here are some common triggers:

• wünschen, dass (to wish that)
• möglich sein (to be possible)
• als ob (as if)
• wenn (if)

Example: "Ich wünsche, dass es morgen schönes Wetter sei." (I wish that it is nice weather tomorrow.)

4. Modal Verbs in the Subjunctive Mood

Modal verbs, such as können (can), müssen (must), and sollen (should), also have a subjunctive mood. In the present subjunctive, the modal verbs are conjugated according to the following pattern:

• Use the present subjunctive form of the modal verb as the auxiliary verb.
• Use the infinitive form of the main verb at the end of the sentence.

Example: "Er sagt, dass er das Buch lesen könne." (He says that he can read the book.)

5. Using the Subjunctive Mood in Conditional Sentences

The subjunctive mood is commonly used in conditional sentences to express hypothetical or unreal situations. The if-clause is usually introduced by the word wenn (if) and the main clause follows with the verb in the subjunctive mood.

Example: "Wenn ich Zeit hätte, würde ich gerne ins Kino gehen." (If I had time, I would like to go to the cinema.)

6. Summary

To summarize, the subjunctive mood is used in German to express wishes, possibilities, and hypothetical situations. It is mainly used in formal writing and certain triggers can indicate its usage. By understanding the forms of the subjunctive mood and its various applications, you will be able to use it effectively in your own German writing.