C2 editing: reported claims and changes of perspective
Keep the source, time and degree of commitment visible when summarising several voices. This advanced editing practice builds on familiar subjunctive forms; the forms themselves are not exclusive to C2.
A report can attribute a statement without endorsing or disproving it: Die Sprecherin erklärte, die Prüfung sei abgeschlossen. A following sentence such as Eine Bestätigung liege noch nicht vor can continue the same reported voice. Name a new source explicitly when the perspective changes.
In formal reporting, Konjunktiv I often marks attribution. Where a form coincides with the indicative, Konjunktiv II can make the reporting clearer: sie hätten. That form alone does not prove dishonesty. Indicative forms also occur in indirect speech; their interpretation depends on the reporting context, so do not teach an absolute ban.
Preserve temporal relationships: habe eingereicht places submission before the reported statement; sei unklar describes the situation at that statement; werde antworten can express a later response. German indirect speech does not require a mechanical English-style shift into the past after sagte. Preserve the original meaning rather than changing forms blindly.
Words such as ich, hier and morgen depend on the original speaker, place and date. Change them only as needed to keep the same reference. A Monday promise to answer tomorrow concerns Tuesday even when reported on Wednesday. Reporting verbs also matter: sagte is more neutral than gestand; do not invent an admission, motive or independent confirmation.
| Form | Beispiel |
|---|---|
| Gleichzeitigkeit zur Äußerung | Sie erklärte, die Lage sei unklar. |
| Vorzeitigkeit | Sie erklärte, sie habe die Daten geprüft. |
| Nachzeitigkeit | Sie erklärte, sie werde am Folgetag antworten. |
| Quellenwechsel | Der Verband widersprach dieser Darstellung. |
Examples
Die Sprecherin erklärte, die Prüfung sei abgeschlossen. Eine unabhängige Bestätigung liege noch nicht vor.
The spokesperson said the examination was complete and independent confirmation was still unavailable.
Both subjunctive clauses remain attributed to the spokesperson.
Der Gutachter sagte, er habe den Bericht bereits am Montag eingereicht.
The expert said he had submitted the report on Monday already.
Habe eingereicht retains an event preceding the statement.
Am Montag kündigte die Leiterin an, sie werde am Dienstag antworten.
On Monday, the manager announced that she would reply on Tuesday.
Explicit days preserve the announced date without a misleading tomorrow.
Der Verband erklärte, die Zahlen seien vorläufig; die Behörde bezeichnete sie dagegen als endgültig.
The association said the figures were provisional; the authority, by contrast, called them final.
The source change keeps the two opposing assessments separate.