Übung: Konjunktiv I Vergangenheit – C1 German Grammar

Practice: Konjunktiv I past – summary

In news texts, past events that the writer has not verified personally are almost always reported in Konjunktiv I. This way the newspaper stays neutral and is not liable for the statement.

Overview: all forms of reported speech

A typical news report

Direct statements (police): „Der Verdächtige ist am Montag geflohen. Er hat ein Auto gestohlen. Wir haben die Fahndung eingeleitet."

Newspaper report: Die Polizei teilte mit, der Verdächtige sei am Montag geflohen. Er habe ein Auto gestohlen. Man habe die Fahndung eingeleitet. (The police announced that the suspect had fled on Monday, had stolen a car, and that a search had been launched.)

Other signals of distance

Besides Konjunktiv I, these expressions also show that a statement comes from someone else:

• laut + dative/genitive: Laut dem Bericht / Laut Polizei … (according to the report / police)
• zufolge (after the noun, + dative): Dem Sprecher zufolge … (according to the spokesman)
• nach Angaben + genitive: Nach Angaben des Ministeriums … (according to the ministry)
• sollen (rumour): Der Minister soll zurückgetreten sein. (The minister is said to have resigned.)
• wollen (self-claim): Er will nichts gesehen haben. (He claims to have seen nothing.)

Examples:

• Die Polizei teilte mit, der Verdächtige sei geflohen. (The police said the suspect had fled.)
• Augenzeugen berichteten, der Fahrer habe nicht gebremst. (Eyewitnesses reported that the driver hadn't braked.)
• Dem Unternehmen zufolge seien keine Daten gestohlen worden. (According to the company, no data had been stolen.)
• Die Sängerin erklärte, sie habe sich von ihrem Manager getrennt. (The singer stated she had parted ways with her manager.)
• Der Angeklagte will zur Tatzeit zu Hause gewesen sein. (The defendant claims to have been at home at the time of the crime.)