The Conditional

The German Conditional is formed by using the verb würden (the Imperfekt of WERDEN plus an Umlaut) plus an infinitive verb at the end of the sentence or clause.

The meaning of the word würden is equivalent to the English would. It is used to express what would happen, if it were not for other circumstances.

I wouldn't do that. Ich würde das nicht tun.

What would you do? Was würdest du machen?

The forms of würden are as follows:

The indicative mood of a verb is used to make statements of fact, ask questions, and to describe and express reality. The subjunctive mood is used to:

1. Make polite requests and questions
2. Express a wish or desire
3. Express contrary to fact conditions
4. Make hypothetical statements or questions

The subjunctive may express present time or past time, but there is only one way to express past time in the subjunctive.

The present time subjunctive is used to refer to wishes, unreal conditions and hypothetical events in the present or future It is formed by taking the IMPERFEKT form of the verb and adding the subjunctive personal endings to the verb stem.

Weak verbs in the subjunctive look no different than the normal IMPERFEKT forms. The subjunctive endings are exactly the same as the IMPERFEKT.

Ich wollte, er sagte mir die Wahrneit I wish, he would tell me the truth.

But, don't scream OH NO, THIS IS TOO CONFUSING! The very same thing happens in English with the exception of the verb to be. If I had the time , If he lost everything, If she nly knew, BUT If I were you.

Because there is no difference between the IMPERFEKT and the Present Time Subjunctive forms of weak verbs. the conditional form (würden) plus an inftinitive is often substituted. This causes less confusion as to the meaning.

Would you open the door? Machtest du die Tür auf? Würdest du die Tür aufmachen?

Would you ask the teacher? Fragtest du den Lehrer? Würdest du den Lehrer fragen?

I wish he would play. Ich wollte, er spielte. Ich wollte, er würde spielen.

I wish he would ask me. Ich wollte, er fragte mich. Ich wollte, er würde mich fragen

If he would only visit us. Wenn er uns nur besuchte. Wenn er uns nur besuchen würde.

If I lived there, I would study German.

Wenn ich da wohnte, würde ich Deutsch lernen. (the würde form) is only used in the

2^nd half of the the statement - not in the "If" or Wenn clause)

THE SUBJUNCTIVE FORM OF IRREGULAR WEAK VERBS    

Irregular weak verbs are those verbs that have the traditional weak verb eddings in the IMPERFEKT, but doo have a strange change in vowels.  The subjunctive form of these verbs is the same as the IMPERFEKT except that Umlauts are added over vowels than can take an Umluat.  This addition of an Umlaut also occurs when forming the subjunctive of strong verbs.  

Other irregular weak verb and their subjunctive forms are listed below.

THE SUBJUNCTIVE FORM OF MODAL VERBS

Modal verbs are often used in the subjunctive.  The subjunctive forms of modals simply add an Umlaut back on to the verbs that orignaally had them (können / möchten / dürfen / müssen).  Those that did not have an Umlaut have subjunctive forms that are exactly like the IMPERFEKT.

Haben and Sein are 2 verbs that are not usually used with the wurde form (conditionsl) One must always use these verbs in their subjuncitve forms.