Making up two example scenarios, explain how the subjunctive mood (Konjunktiv II) changes the meaning of the conjunction "wenn".

Example scenarios:1) Der Junge dachte sich, dass wenn er wieder laufen konnte, würde er Fussball spielen. 2) Der Junge dachte sich, dass wenn er wieder laufen könnte, würde er Fussball spielen.
The only immediate difference between these two sentences is the difference in the verbal mood of the verb "können". In sentence 1, the verb is in the indicative mood - we might say this is the 'standard' mood. Looking at sentence 1, we could imagine that the boy has broken his leg and the doctor has promised him that it will heal completely - and so he decides that once it is healed (as he is sure it will) he will play football. In this case, "wenn" translates as "when".
In sentence 2, the verb is in the subjunctive mood - in German "Konjunktiv 2". The subjunctive expresses uncertainty or hypotheticality. In this case, we could imagine the following scenario: The boy has broken his leg but he is not yet sure if it will heal properly - so he doesn't know if he will be able to play football. Because of the change in verbal mood, "wenn" now comes to mean "if" as this mood expresses uncertainty.

Answered by Kristel Vinter K. German tutor

1388 Views

See similar German A Level tutors

Related German A Level answers

All answers ▸

Your sister and you are in a fight, as she took something that is yours without asking. Your mother seems to be on her side. Write a short letter to a friend telling her how you feel.


Was ist deiner meinung von Fernsehen für Kinder?


What is the passive voice in German?


How do I know when to use "Akkusativ" or "Dativ"


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences