The general subjunctive

Function

The general subjunctive is used:

: 1) to make a conjecture or hypothetical statement,
: 2) to express a wish that is not likely to be fulfilled,
: 3) to make polite requests,
: 4) to quote indirectly what another person has said.

1) Sie sähen diesen Film gern.
2) Wenn ich nur mehr Zeit hätte!
3) Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen?
4) Er sagte, er käme morgen. You would like to see this movie.
If only I had more time!
Could you please help me?
He said he was coming tomorrow.

Present time forms

Regular verbs

The present time subjunctive of a regular verb has exactly the same form as the simple past tense of that verb (1). Thus the conditional with würde is generally used instead (2).

1) Ich lebte gern in München.

2) Ich würde gern in München leben.

I liked living in Munich.
or
I would like to live in Munich.

I would like to live in Munich.

Regular verbs with altered stem

The present time subjunctive of a regular verb with altered stem uses the simple past tense form of the verb, but with an Umlaut over the stem vowel. However, the verbs kennen, nennen, and rennen use e rather than ä as their stem vowel.

Wenn er nur daran dächte!
Wenn wir uns besser kennten, würden wir mehr Spass haben.

If only he would think of it!
If we knew each other better, we would have more fun.

Modal auxiliary verbs

The present time subjunctive of a modal auxiliary verb uses the simple past tense form of the verb, with an Umlaut over the stem vowel, except for sollen and wollen. Subjunctive modal auxiliary verbs are especially important for making polite requests.

Ich möchte zwei Glas Bier.
Dürfte ich eine Frage stellen?
Sollten wir sie einladen?
Könntest du mir helfen?

I would like two glasses of beer.
Might I ask a question?
Shouldn't we invite them?
Could you help me?

Irregular verbs

The present time subjunctive of an irregular verb uses as its base the simple past tense verb stem, but with an Umlaut over the stem vowel, if it is a, o, or u. The subjunctive also uses different endings from the simple past for most forms. Thus even verbs with an i, e, or ie stem vowel in the simple past, which can carry no Umlaut, are nevertheless nearly always recognizable as subjunctive forms.

Ich führe lieber nach Spanien.
Wenn sie nur schneller liefe!
Wenn wir flögen, würden wir früher ankommen.

I would rather travel to Spain.
If only she would run faster.
If we flew, we would arrive earlier.

The pattern for the present time subjunctive of irregular verbs is: subjunctive stem + subjunctive ending

Personal pronouns
Singular	Plural	Singular & Plural
ich sänge	wir sängen
du sängest	ihr sänget	Sie sängen
er sänge sie sänge es sänge	sie sängen