ABSTRACT
Reported speech is a vital ingredient in most kinds of summaries, analyses, essays and articles. As a stylistic instrument, it can help you summarize the views of others. By using reported speech you can make it perfectly clear that you do not necessarily share the reported views — which can be helpful if you want to assess critically what others have said. To do this you have to use the subjunctive mood, and if you get it right this will really impress your examiners. As the forms are not too complicated we think that this is an excellent opportunity for you to upgrade your German: an impressive result for not too much input. You will remember the subjunctive II from Day 28. Today we will deal with the subjunctive I, the reported speech form.
