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Grammar Notes - Subjunctives

 

Uses

The Subjunctive Mood of the Verb expresses uncertainty and supposition, whereas the Indicative Mood (the usual mood or mode of the Verb) expresses certainty and fact.

The Subjunctive is used:

  • where there is an element of doubt, such as when reporting speech;
  • where there is an element of wishing, believing, intending;
  • where it is polite to assume doubt, such as when making a request;
  • expressing conditions.

A complete grammar work will give more information about uses of the Subjunctive, together with information about irregular Subjunctive forms.

Meanwhile the notes below serve as a brief introduction.

 

Present Subjunctive

English has only a few remnants of the Present Subjunctive, surviving in expressions such as: 'Thanks be!' and 'Long live the Queen!'

As a rule, German forms Present Subjunctive with Verb Stem + Present tense endings. Often the Present Subjunctive is identical to Present Simple and the tendency is to use Past Subjunctive instead.

Consider the following examples and note which German Verbs are Regular (follow the rule).

Check with the Solution.

I don't know whether he's ill. Ich weiß nicht, ob er krank sei.
He maintains she doesn't believe him. Er behauptet, sie glaube ihm nicht.
Tell him to come with us. Sagen Sie ihm, er möge mitkommen.
She thought he was unfaithful. Sie glaubte, er sei untreu.

Solution:- Present Subjunctive

sei is the odd one out - it is the subjunctive of the Irregular Verb sein

 

Past Subjunctive

English uses the Past Subjunctive in expressions such as: 'I wish he were here!'

German forms Past Subjunctive with Verb Stem + Umlaut + Past tense endings. Where this form is identical to Past Simple, the tendency is to use würde + Infinitive instead.

Consider the following examples and note the position of the Verbs:

I had said you should start without me.

 Ich hatte doch gesagt, Ihr solltet ohne mich anfangen.
If I were you, I wouldn't go! Wenn ich Sie wäre, würde ich nicht hinfahren!

 

Test yourself!

In respect of the above sections, try the following:

  1. Study the explanations and examples.
  2. Print out the table for the grammar point you are working on and fold it into 2 vertically. You will then be able to check your recall of the English and German examples by folding and unfolding the paper.

Created for ULTRALAB trial June 1999
Copyright ULTRALAB at Anglia Polytechnic University