When passing on instructions from your boss or a colleague, you cannot simply put a direct command (like "Do the work!") into reported speech. Because imperatives do not have their own reported speech forms, German uses the modal verbs sollen and mögen in Konjunktiv I to relay commands and requests indirectly.
Reporting Commands with "sollen"
If the original statement was a firm instruction, demand, or order, use the modal verb sollen (to be supposed to / should).
To form the Konjunktiv I of sollen in the singular, take the infinitive stem and add the standard Konjunktiv I endings:
- ich solle
- du sollest
- er/sie/es solle
| The board says he should prepare the meeting. | Der Vorstand sagt, er solle die Sitzung vorbereiten. |
| The boss says I should revise the draft and submit it today. | Der Chef sagt, ich solle den Entwurf überarbeiten und heute einreichen. |
Reporting Polite Requests with "mögen"
If the original statement was a polite request or an appeal, use the modal verb mögen. You will frequently see this when reporting speech that is introduced by verbs like bitten (to ask / request).
| may / be asked to (in indirect requests) | mögen |
The singular Konjunktiv I forms follow the exact same pattern:
- ich möge
- du mögest
- er/sie/es möge
| He requests that the assistant somehow revise the draft. | Er bittet, der Assistent möge den Entwurf irgendwie überarbeiten. |
| The board requests that he write the feedback, because it will probably take a long time. | Der Vorstand bittet, er möge die Rückmeldung schreiben, weil es wohl lange dauern wird. |
Plural Forms and Context
As you might remember, the Konjunktiv I forms for wir (we), sie (they), and Sie (formal you) are often identical to their regular present tense forms. This is true here as well: the plural forms remain sollen and mögen.
While this overlap sometimes requires switching to Konjunktiv II to avoid confusion, indirect requests almost always follow introductory phrases (like er sagt or sie bittet) that make the context perfectly clear.
| The consultant says we should wait for the feedback, because it is important. | Der Berater sagt, wir sollen auf die Rückmeldung warten, weil sie wichtig ist. |
| She requests that the employees contact the customers before the meeting. | Sie bittet, die Mitarbeiter mögen die Kunden vor der Sitzung kontaktieren. |