Konjunktiv II

The Konjunktiv II (subjunctive of the past tense and past perfect tense) as a verbal mode used for the expression of hypothetic, imaginary or any other kind of unreal statements is one of the most important as well as one of the most intricate issues of the German verbal system. Thus, it does not wonder that there is a vast multiplicity of approaches in the different didactic grammars. The present study’s intent is to give an overview about theoretical researches about forms and functions of the Konjunktiv II and about the various methods how it is introduced by didactic grammars. The results of the enquiry will show that it would be desirable to give more overall descriptions of the semantic and pragmatic character of Konjunktiv II and to take into account more decisively recent linguistic developments of the German language that have an undeniable impact on the usage of this verbal mode.