Indirekte Rede (Basics)
Indirekte Rede — for English Speakers
Introduction
German indirect speech often uses 'dass' (that) plus a subordinate clause, just like English. However, formal German also uses Konjunktiv I to signal reported speech — a distinction English completely lacks. In everyday speech, Germans often use the indicative with 'dass', making it very similar to English. The formal Konjunktiv I form is mainly found in news reports and academic writing.
German vs English
In German
Er sagt, dass er kommt. (He says that he's coming)
In English
He says that he is coming.
Key Difference
Nearly identical structure with 'dass' = 'that'. Verb goes to end in German dass-clause.
In German
Sie meint, sie sei krank. (Konjunktiv I for reported speech)
In English
She says she is sick. (no mood change in English)
Key Difference
German can use Konjunktiv I to mark reported speech; English has no equivalent mood shift.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Er sagt, dass er kommt morgen.
Putting the verb before the time word — in dass-clauses, the verb must be at the very end.
Er fragt, dass ich Zeit habe.
Using 'dass' for yes/no questions — indirect yes/no questions require 'ob' (whether), not 'dass'.
Practice Examples
Er sagt, dass er morgen kommt.
He says that he's coming tomorrow.
Sie fragte, ob ich Zeit hätte.
She asked whether I had time.
Er behauptet, er wisse nichts davon.
He claims he knows nothing about it.
Memory Tip
DASS = 'that' for statements, OB = 'whether' for questions — and the verb always goes to the end.
View Grammar Rule
Indirekte Rede (Basics)
Indirekte Rede — B1
Practice Exercises
Indirekte Rede (Basics) Übungen
8 exercises
Other Languages
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