German Past Subjunctive (Konjunktiv II)

Overview

The past subjunctive is a verb "mood" used to express uncertainty, doubt, or a contrary-to-reality condition. It is also frequently utilized to reflect politeness and good manners. This in itself is a great reason to learn this topic! The subjunctive is not a verb tense, but rather it is a "mood" that can be used in various tenses. The "past subjunctive" (another name for the Subjunctive II) gets its name from the fact that its forms are based on the past tense. The Subjunctive I is called the "present subjunctive" because it is based on the present tense. But don't let those terms confuse you: the subjunctive is not a verb tense.

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July 9, 2023

Stephen Sovenyhazy

The past tense of the general subjunctive in German (Konjunktiv II) is similar to the past perfect: both use a form of one of the helping verbs (sein or haben) in second position with a past participle of the main verb at the end of the sentence or clause (in regular word order). Look at the following examples:

Er hatte seine Arbeit nicht gemacht. (past perfect)

Er hätte seine Arbeit nicht gemacht. (past subjunctive)

In the first sentence, “He had not done his work,” but, in the second one, we translate it as “He would not have done his work.” The only difference in the structure in German is the use of the subjunctive form of the helping verb, which we already know from the present tense subjunctive (e.g. hätte, wäre).

Sie ist gestern Abend ins Restaurant gegangen. (present perfect)
She went to a restaurant yesterday evening.

Sie wäre gestern Abend ins Restaurant gegangen, aber sie musste arbeiten. (past subjunctive)
She would have gone to a restaurant yesterday evening, but she had to work.

The key distinction in the past form is that würden cannot be used, and modal verbs use a double infinitive form. For example,

Wir könnten die Arbeit machen. (present subjunctive)
We could do the work.

Wir hätten die Arbeit machen können. (past subjunctive)
We could have done the work.

Note that, in the past subjunctive, the subjunctive form of the helping verb is used, but the modal verb is pushed to the end (after the main verb) in its infinitive form. The translation for the second sentence is: “We could have done the work.” When dependent word order is used (e.g. after a subordinating conjunction), just like the double infinitive form of the present perfect, the conjugated helping verb immediately precedes the double infinitive:

Ich weiß, dass wir die Arbeit hätten machen können.
I know that we could have done the work.

Highlighted Author:

Stephen Sovenyhazy

Stephen is the President of CORE Languages having founded the company in 2007. His focus is on empowering those with a need for community, culture and communication. For over a decade, CORE has helped businesses achieve their strategic international goals by empowering employees to learn and find joy in communicating in a new language and cultural context. With our online instructor-led courses, we now bring this to community members across the globe. A quote from Stephen. "When I started teaching, I sought to bring that same energy, dedication, and sense of purpose into my own classrooms. I founded CORE Languages to expand that vision, seeing the growing need for language training options designed to meet the unique needs of business environments. For over a decade, CORE has helped businesses achieve their strategic international goals by empowering employees to learn and find joy in communicating in a new language and cultural context. With our online instructor-led courses, we now bring this to community members across the globe. It’s a privilege to do what we do and share what we love with you.”

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Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR is an international standard used to describe language ability. Here are specific details of the CEFR for this topic.

General Explanation:

Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Specific Capabilities at this Level

Writing:

I can write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. I can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.

Spoken Production:

I can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, my dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. I can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my reactions.

Spoken Interaction:

I can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. I can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events).

Reading:

I can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language. I can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.

Listening:

I can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand the main point of many radio or TV programs on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.