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Ersatzformen des Passivs

  • In German, there are many ways to express passive meaning without directly using the passive form (Passiv).
  • These alternatives often make sentences sound more natural in both spoken and written language.

1. Passive with the modal verb "können"​

📌 "Können" is often used to express that an action can be performed.

1.1. Method 1: Use an active sentence (Man/Jemand)​

Example:

  • Passive: Das Problem kann gelöst werden. (The problem can be solved.)
  • Active with "man": Man kann das Problem lösen. (One can solve the problem.)
  • Active with "jemand": Jemand kann das Problem lösen. (Someone can solve the problem.)

Note:

  • "Man" or "jemand" can replace the passive subject.
  • This form is more common in spoken language than the standard passive.

1.2. Method 2: Use the structure "sein + zu + infinitive"​

Example:

  • Passive: Das Problem kann gelöst werden.
  • Alternative: Das Problem ist zu lösen. (The problem is to be solved / can be solved.)

Note:

  • This form makes the sentence more concise and is often found in written language.
  • Only used when the action is general, not emphasizing the performer.

1.3. Method 3: Use the passive with "lassen + sich + infinitive"​

Example:

  • Passive: Das Problem kann gelöst werden.
  • Alternative: Das Problem lässt sich lösen. (The problem can be solved / is solvable.)

Note:

  • This form expresses that an action can easily be carried out.
  • "Sich lassen" is used as a passive alternative when an action is feasible.

1.4. Method 4: Use adjectives with the suffix "-bar"​

📌 Some verbs can take the suffix "-bar" to form adjectives with a passive meaning ("can be done").

Example:

VerbNounAdjective (-bar)Example sentence
heilen (to heal)die Heilung (healing)heilbar (curable)Die Krankheit ist heilbar. (The illness is curable.)
verstehen (to understand)das Verständnis (understanding)verständlich (understandable)Der Text ist verständlich. (The text is understandable.)
vermeiden (to avoid)die Vermeidung (avoidance)vermeidbar (avoidable)Der Fehler ist vermeidbar. (The mistake is avoidable.)

Note:

  • This form is common in written language and more formal.
  • It helps express passive meaning naturally and concisely.

2. Passive with modal verbs "müssen, sollen, dürfen"​

  • These modal verbs express obligation, duty, or permission.
  • There are several ways to express the passive without using "werden".

2.1. Method 1: Use an active sentence (man or jemand)​

Example:

  • Passive: Die Regeln müssen eingehalten werden. (The rules must be followed.)
  • Active with "man": Man muss die Regeln einhalten. (One must follow the rules.)
  • Active with "jemand": Jemand muss die Regeln einhalten. (Someone must follow the rules.)

Note:

  • "Man" replaces the passive subject in a more natural way.
  • This form is commonly used in spoken language.

2.2. Method 2: Use the structure "sein + zu + infinitive"​

Example:

  • Passive: Die Regeln müssen eingehalten werden.
  • Alternative: Die Regeln sind einzuhalten. (The rules are to be followed.)

Note:

  • This structure makes the sentence concise and more formal.
  • Used when it is not necessary to emphasize the performer of the action.

🎯 3. Summary of key points​

notatka
  • There are many alternatives to passive sentences that make the language sound more natural in speech and writing.
  • "Man" or "jemand" can express passive meaning actively.
  • The structure "sein + zu + infinitive" is often used in writing as a passive alternative.
  • "Lassen + sich + infinitive" is used when the action can easily be carried out.
  • The suffix "-bar" forms adjectives with a natural passive meaning.

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