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Passiv

  • The passive voice (Passiv) is used when the action is more important than the agent performing the action.
  • Passive sentences emphasize the process or state of the object rather than who performs the action.

1. When to use the passive voice​

When the action is more important than the agent:

  • Das Buch wird gelesen.
    (The book is being read.)

When the agent is unknown or not mentioned:

  • Das Auto wurde gestohlen.
    (The car was stolen.)

In formal texts, announcements, or regulations:

  • Hier darf nicht geparkt werden.
    (Parking is not allowed here.)

2. Direct and indirect objects​

:::cautionWarning! 🔹 An active sentence can have a direct object (Akkusativobjekt) or an indirect object (Dativobjekt).
🔹 Only the direct object (Akkusativ) can become the subject of a passive sentence. :::

2.1. Direct object (Akkusativobjekt)​

📌 Sentences with an Akkusativ object can be converted to passive.

Example:

  • Active: Der Lehrer erklärt die Grammatik.
    (The teacher explains the grammar.)

  • Passive: Die Grammatik wird erklärt.
    (The grammar is explained.)

2.2. Indirect object (Dativobjekt)​

📌 If the sentence only has a Dativ object, it cannot become the subject in the passive sentence.

Example:

  • Active: Der Lehrer gibt dem Schüler ein Buch.
    (The teacher gives the student a book.)

  • Passive: Ein Buch wird dem Schüler gegeben.
    (A book is given to the student.)
    (The Dativ object "dem Schüler" stays the same.)

2.3. Mentioning the agent in the passive​

📌 If you still want to mention who performs the action, use "von" or "durch".

Example:

  • Das Buch wird von dem Lehrer gelesen.
    (The book is read by the teacher.)

  • Die Tür wurde durch den Wind geöffnet.
    (The door was opened by the wind.)

"Von" is used for people, "durch" for non-human agents.

3. Standard passive construction in present tense (Präsens)​

📌 Formula:

Subject (Akkusativ in active) + werden (Präsens) + Partizip II + (von + agent)

ActivePassive
Der Lehrer erklärt die Regel. (The teacher explains the rule.)Die Regel wird erklärt. (The rule is explained.)
Der Koch bereitet das Essen zu. (The cook prepares the food.)Das Essen wird zubereitet. (The food is prepared.)

Note:

  • "Werden" is the auxiliary verb, conjugated for the subject.
  • Partizip II always comes at the end of the sentence.

4. Active sentences without a direct object (only Dativ)​

📌 If the active sentence only has a Dativ object, it stays the same in the passive sentence.

Example:

  • Active: Man hilft dem Kind.
    (Someone helps the child.)

  • Passive: Dem Kind wird geholfen.
    (The child is helped.)

Note:

  • The Dativ object cannot become the subject in the passive sentence.
  • A dummy subject "es" can be added if needed.

5. Active sentence with a direct object but using a dummy subject "es"​

📌 When there is no real subject or to emphasize the action, a dummy subject "es" is used.

Example:

  • Active: Man hat die Straße gesperrt.
    (They blocked the street.)

  • Passive: Es wurde die Straße gesperrt.
    (The street was blocked.)

Note:

  • "Es" is only a dummy subject, without real meaning.
  • Passive sentences don’t necessarily need "es", but it can make the sentence clearer.

6. Two types of passive: Vorgangspassiv and Zustandspassiv​

📌 There are two types of passive in German:

Type of passiveDescriptionExample
Vorgangspassiv (process passive)Emphasizes the process of the actionDas Buch wird gelesen. (The book is being read.)
Zustandspassiv (state passive)Emphasizes the result or state after the actionDas Buch ist gelesen. (The book has been read.)

Note:

  • Vorgangspassiv uses "werden", Zustandspassiv uses "sein".
  • Vorgangspassiv focuses on the process, Zustandspassiv focuses on the result.

7. Summary of passive construction formulas​

🔹 Vorgangspassiv (process passive)​

TenseFormula
Präsenswerden (Präsens) + Partizip II
Präteritumwurden (Präteritum) + Partizip II
Perfektist / sind + Partizip II + worden
Plusquamperfektwar / waren + Partizip II + worden
Futur Iwird + Partizip II + werden

🔹 Vorgangspassiv with modal verbs (Modalverben)​

📌 Formula:

Subject + modal verb + Partizip II + werden (infinitive)

Example:

  • Das Problem muss gelöst werden. (The problem must be solved.)

🔹 Zustandspassiv (state passive)​

📌 Formula:

Subject + sein + Partizip II

Example:

  • Die Tür ist geöffnet. (The door is open.)

🔹 Zustandspassiv with modal verbs​

📌 Formula:

Subject + modal verb + Partizip II + sein (infinitive)

Example:

  • Das Haus muss renoviert sein. (The house must be renovated.)

🎯 8. Summary of key points​

note
  • Only Akkusativ objects can become the subject in the passive sentence.
  • If only a Dativ object exists, it stays the same in the passive sentence.
  • "Vorgangspassiv" emphasizes the process, "Zustandspassiv" emphasizes the state.
  • "Von" indicates a human agent, "durch" indicates a non-human agent.
  • The passive can be combined with modal verbs.

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