German Passive Voice in the Past (Präteritum Passiv)
wurde + Partizip II to report past actions where the 'doer' is unknown or unimportant.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The Präteritum Passiv describes actions that were done to someone or something in the past.
- Use the auxiliary verb 'werden' in the Präteritum (wurde/wurden).
- Place the Partizip II (past participle) at the very end of the sentence.
- The subject of the passive sentence is the object of the active sentence.
Overview
The Präteritum Passiv (Simple Past Passive) in German describes actions completed in the past where the focus lies not on the performer, but on the action itself and its recipient. This grammatical construction is fundamental for expressing objectivity, reporting facts, or when the agent is unknown, irrelevant, or intentionally omitted. It shifts the grammatical subject from the active agent to the entity that experienced the action.
This structure is particularly prevalent in formal written contexts such as news reports, historical accounts, scientific texts, and official documents, providing a concise and impersonal narrative. Understanding the Präteritum Passiv is crucial for comprehending sophisticated narrative German.
Conjugation Table
| Person | Singular | Plural | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| --------------- | ------------- | ------------ | ||
ich |
wurde |
wir wurden |
||
du |
wurdest |
ihr wurdet |
||
er/sie/es |
wurde |
sie/Sie wurden |
How This Grammar Works
Der Polizist verhaftete den Dieb (The police officer arrested the thief). Here, der Polizist is the active subject, and den Dieb is the direct object.den Dieb becomes the new grammatical subject, and der Polizist (the agent) is either relegated to an optional von-phrase or omitted entirely. This linguistic mechanism allows you to prioritize the outcome or the affected entity over the cause.werden acts as a "passive helper," signaling that the subject is undergoing the action rather than performing it. In Präteritum Passiv, werden takes its simple past form, wurde or wurden. The main verb always appears in its Partizip II form, positioned at the end of the sentence.Der Dieb wurde verhaftet, Der Dieb is now the subject undergoing the action verhaftet werden (to be arrested), without explicit mention of the arresting agent. The ability to express actions without specifying an agent is a powerful tool for generalization and formal reporting, particularly in narrative or historical contexts where the event itself is paramount.Formation Pattern
Präteritum Passiv involves a consistent two-part formula: the auxiliary verb werden conjugated in the Präteritum, and the Partizip II of the main verb. The Partizip II always occupies the final position in the clause, regardless of other sentence elements.
[Grammatical Subject (recipient of action)] + [conjugated werden (Präteritum)] + [rest of sentence (adverbs, time expressions)] + [Partizip II of main verb].
Das Auto wurde gestern gestohlen. (The car was stolen yesterday.)
Die Bücher wurden von den Schülern gelesen. (The books were read by the students.)
von followed by the agent in the dative case. This von-phrase typically follows the auxiliary verb and any temporal or manner adverbs.
[Grammatical Subject] + [wurde/wurden] + [von + Dativ (Agent)] + [rest of sentence] + [Partizip II].
Das Lied wurde von Mozart komponiert. (The song was composed by Mozart.)
werden moves to the very end of the clause, immediately preceding the Partizip II of the main verb. This adheres to the typical German subordinate clause structure where conjugated verbs appear last.
..., weil [Grammatical Subject] + [rest of sentence] + [Partizip II] + [wurde/wurden].
Ich wusste, dass das Problem schnell gelöst wurde. (I knew that the problem was quickly solved.)
Er erzählte, dass die Stadt im Mittelalter gegründet wurde. (He said that the city was founded in the Middle Ages.)
When To Use It
Präteritum Passiv serves specific communicative functions, primarily emphasizing the event or its consequence rather than the actor. It is a cornerstone of formal German discourse.- News Reporting and Journalism: To maintain an objective tone and focus on incidents rather than individuals, especially when the agent is unknown, irrelevant, or purposefully de-emphasized.
Das neue Gesetz wurde gestern verabschiedet.(The new law was passed yesterday.)Der Täter wurde nach intensiver Fahndung gefasst.(The culprit was caught after an intensive search.)- Historical Narratives and Academic Writing: For describing past events, discoveries, or processes impersonally and factually. This imparts a sense of scholarly distance.
Die Berliner Mauer wurde 1989 geöffnet.(The Berlin Wall was opened in 1989.)Die Hypothese wurde durch umfangreiche Experimente bestätigt.(The hypothesis was confirmed by extensive experiments.)- Technical and Scientific Descriptions: To explain processes, instructions, or findings in an objective manner, where the human operator is irrelevant to the function.
Die Schaltfläche wurde gedrückt, um den Vorgang zu starten.(The button was pressed to start the process.)Die Daten wurden sorgfältig analysiert und interpretiert.(The data was carefully analyzed and interpreted.)- Official Announcements and Public Information: When conveying information from an institutional perspective, where the individual responsible is not the main point, but the impact of the action is.
Das Gebäude wurde wegen Renovierungsarbeiten geschlossen.(The building was closed due to renovations.)
Präteritum Passiv lends an air of formality and detachment, making it ideal for situations requiring precision and impartiality. It is the preferred past passive form in most written formal German, particularly in longer narratives or reports, contributing to a fluid, continuous past narration.When Not To Use It
Präteritum Passiv is a powerful grammatical tool, its inappropriate use can sound unnatural or grammatically incorrect. Knowing when to avoid it is as important as knowing when to use it.- Intransitive Verbs: The passive voice can only be formed with transitive verbs, which are verbs that can take a direct accusative object. Intransitive verbs (like
schlafen- to sleep,gehen- to go,bleiben- to stay,sterben- to die) cannot form a personal passive construction because there is no object to become the new subject. You cannot sayEs wurde geschlafen.orEr wurde gegangen.For such verbs, theman-construction or an active sentence must be used. - Reflexive Verbs: Reflexive verbs (e.g.,
sich freuen- to be happy,sich waschen- to wash oneself) generally do not form a passive voice because the action reflects back on the subject.Er wurde sich gewaschen.is incorrect. Instead, you would use an active sentence:Er wusch sich. - Verbs with Fixed Prepositions (some cases): While some verbs with prepositions can form a passive (
über etwas sprechen→Es wurde über das Problem gesprochen), it's generally best to avoidPräteritum Passivif the emphasis remains heavily on the agent performing an action with a fixed preposition, or if a more direct construction is possible. - Highly Informal Spoken German: In everyday, casual conversations, native German speakers overwhelmingly prefer the
Perfekt Passiv(ist ... worden) over thePräteritum Passiv. While grammatically correct, usingPräteritum Passivin informal speech might sound overly formal or even archaic, similar to using very formal vocabulary in casual chats. - Instead of:
Der Kuchen wurde gebacken.(too formal for casual chat) - Prefer:
Der Kuchen ist gebacken worden.(more common in spoken German) - When the Agent is Important: If the identity or action of the agent is the crucial piece of information, an active sentence is always more direct and effective. Using the passive would obscure this vital detail, undermining your communicative goal.
- Instead of:
Das Bild wurde von meiner Schwester gemalt.(focus on the picture) - Prefer:
Meine Schwester malte das Bild.(focus on your sister's action, assuming it's the more important detail).
Perfekt Passiv.Common Mistakes
Präteritum Passiv. Recognizing these common errors and understanding their underlying causes will significantly improve your accuracy and fluency in German.- Confusing
wurde(Passive Process) withwar(Statal Passive/State): This is perhaps the most frequent and significant error.Präteritum Passivuseswurde+Partizip IIto describe an action or a process that occurred in the past. It answers the question "What happened?"Das Fenster wurde gestern geschlossen.(The window was closed (by someone) yesterday – describes the act of closing.) In contrast, the Statal Passive (Zustandspassiv) useswar+Partizip IIto describe a state or result that existed in the past. It answers the question "What was the condition?"Das Fenster war schon geschlossen.(The window was already closed – describes its state.) Do not confuse these. One describes an event, the other a condition. - Incorrect Word Order: The
Partizip IImust always be at the very end of the main clause, andwurde/wurdenmust be in the second position in the main clause. In subordinate clauses, both thePartizip IIandwurde/wurdenmove to the end, withPartizip IIprecedingwurde/wurden. This rule is rigid. - Incorrect:
Das Essen wurde gekocht heute. - Correct:
Das Essen wurde heute gekocht. - Incorrect (subordinate):
Ich glaube, dass das Problem wurde schnell gelöst. - Correct (subordinate):
Ich glaube, dass das Problem schnell gelöst wurde. - Omitting or Misusing
von+ Dative: If you specify the agent, it must be introduced byvonand be in the dative case. Failing to usevonor using the wrong case (e.g., accusative) is a common error stemming from direct translation from English "by." - Incorrect:
Der Roman wurde ein Autor geschrieben. - Correct:
Der Roman wurde von einem Autor geschrieben.(einem Autoris dative masculine.) - Using Passive with Intransitive Verbs: As previously discussed, only transitive verbs can form a personal passive because they take a direct object. Intransitive verbs simply do not allow this transformation.
- Incorrect:
Es wurde von ihm geschlafen.(You cannot "be slept.") - Correct:
Er schlief.(He slept.) - Overuse of Passive: While grammatically correct, an excessive reliance on the passive voice can make your writing sound cumbersome, overly academic, or intentionally evasive. Aim for a balanced use, employing the passive when it genuinely serves to highlight the action or de-emphasize the agent, rather than as a default.
Memory Trick
To remember the core components and function of the Präteritum Passiv, think of it as "The WURDE World Order."
- WURDE: This is your direct reminder of the auxiliary verb werden in its simple past form. It signals that an action is being described passively in the past.
- World Order: This phrase helps you remember the strict word order. The Partizip II always goes to the very end of the sentence, like the decisive conclusion of a significant event. The WURDE itself is in the second position in a main clause, establishing the passive past context.
Imagine a historical news report: "The WURDE (event happened) in the World Order (Partizip II at the end)." For example, Die Brücke wurde im letzten Jahr gebaut. (The bridge was built last year.) This mental image helps consolidate both the necessary auxiliary verb and its critical placement in the sentence, distinguishing it from other past tenses or passive forms.
Real Conversations
While Präteritum Passiv is primarily a feature of formal written German, its presence in spoken language is not entirely absent, particularly in narrative contexts or when recounting past events with a degree of formality. However, it's crucial to understand its typical domains in contrast to the more frequently used Perfekt Passiv.
In everyday casual speech, if you were to tell a friend that your phone was stolen, you would almost certainly use the Perfekt Passiv: Mein Handy ist gestohlen worden. You would very rarely hear Mein Handy wurde gestohlen. in such an informal exchange. The Perfekt tense generally dominates spoken German for past actions, even passive ones.
However, consider scenarios where a spoken account adopts a more narrative or report-like tone. For example, a TV reporter recounting details of a past incident would likely use Präteritum Passiv to convey objectivity, even when speaking:
- "Gestern wurde ein wichtiges Dokument im Parlament verabschiedet." (Yesterday, an important document was passed in parliament.)
- "Der Fund wurde von Archäologen als sensationell eingestuft." (The find was classified as sensational by archaeologists.)
Furthermore, in social media updates or informal writing that aims for a concise, impactful effect, Präteritum Passiv can occasionally appear, mimicking journalistic style:
- "Schon wieder! Mein Paket wurde einfach vor der Tür abgestellt." (Again! My package was simply left at the door.) - Here, the speaker wants to report the event factually without accusing anyone specifically.
- "Das Spiel wurde leider abgesagt." (The game was unfortunately cancelled.) - A concise, factual report of an event.
It's a subtle distinction: Perfekt Passiv signals a past action with relevance to the present (or simply the common spoken past), while Präteritum Passiv implies a completed action in a more distant, recounted past, often without direct current implications, lending itself to a narrative flow. Learners should prioritize Perfekt Passiv for general spoken passive statements and reserve Präteritum Passiv for formal written contexts or when consciously adopting a narrative reporting style.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Präteritum Passiv from similar constructions is vital for precise communication. The nuances lie in whether the focus is on the action, the agent, or the resulting state.Präteritum verb + Object | Subject + wurde/wurden + Partizip II | Subject + ist/sind + Partizip II + worden | Subject + war/waren + Partizip II |von + Dative | Optional von + Dative | N/A (agent is irrelevant, only state matters) |Der Koch bereitete das Essen zu. | Das Essen wurde zubereitet. | Das Essen ist zubereitet worden. | N/A |Das Essen war zubereitet. |Präteritum Aktivvs.Präteritum Passiv: The active voice prioritizes the actor (Der Lehrer lobte den Schüler- The teacher praised the student). ThePräteritum Passivshifts this focus to the recipient and the action (Der Schüler wurde gelobt- The student was praised). This is a fundamental change in perspective that emphasizes different aspects of an event.Präteritum Passivvs.Perfekt Passiv: Both describe past passive actions. The crucial difference lies in register and context.Präteritum Passivis the preferred form for formal written narrative in the past (e.g., in a novel or news article), providing a smooth flow of events.Perfekt Passiv(ist ... worden) is the more common and natural choice for spoken German and less formal written communication, often implying an action with present relevance. Think ofPräteritum Passivas the literary or journalistic past passive, andPerfekt Passivas the conversational past passive.Präteritum Passivvs.Zustandspassiv(war+Partizip II): This distinction is critical. ThePräteritum Passiv(wurde+Partizip II) describes the process or event of something happening (Die Tür wurde geöffnet- The door was opened). TheZustandspassiv(war+Partizip II) describes the resulting state after an action has been completed (Die Tür war geöffnet- The door was [already] open). The former is dynamic, describing an action in progress or completion, while the latter is static, describing a condition. A good way to differentiate is to ask: Does it describe what happened or what the situation was?
Progressive Practice
Mastering the Präteritum Passiv requires consistent, varied practice. Move beyond simple sentence transformations and engage with authentic language to solidify your understanding and usage.
Active to Passive Transformations (Präteritum): Start by taking active sentences in the Präteritum and systematically converting them into Präteritum Passiv. Practice both with and without the von-phrase to understand the emphasis shift.
- Example: Der Künstler malte das Bild. → Das Bild wurde von dem Künstler gemalt.
- Example: Man schloss die Geschäfte früh. → Die Geschäfte wurden früh geschlossen.
Identify Passive in Authentic Texts: Read German news articles (e.g., Deutsche Welle, Tagesschau), historical texts, or simplified literature. Actively highlight or underline every instance of Präteritum Passiv. Analyze why the passive was chosen in that context – was the agent unknown, irrelevant, or intentionally omitted?
Role-Playing / Reporting: Imagine you are a journalist writing a report about a past event. Use the Präteritum Passiv to describe what happened objectively, focusing on the actions and effects. Alternatively, summarize a historical event in German, consciously employing the Präteritum Passiv for key occurrences to reinforce the narrative style.
Differentiating wurde vs. war: Create pairs of sentences where you have to decide between Präteritum Passiv (process, wurde) and Zustandspassiv (state, war). Explain your reasoning for each choice, focusing on whether an action or a state is being described.
- Example: Das Licht (wurde/war) ausgeschaltet, als ich den Raum betrat. (Here, wurde implies someone turned it off as you entered, war implies it was already off.)
Subordinate Clause Practice: Practice forming Präteritum Passiv sentences within subordinate clauses. Pay close attention to the specific verb placement at the end, ensuring both Partizip II and wurde/wurden are correctly ordered.
- Example: Sie wusste nicht, warum der Brief (nicht/geschrieben/wurde). → Sie wusste nicht, warum der Brief nicht geschrieben wurde.
Create Your Own Sentences: Write short paragraphs or descriptions about past events (e.g., a historical fact, a story from a newspaper, a process description) using Präteritum Passiv. Challenge yourself to integrate multiple passive constructions naturally.
Consistent engagement with these exercises will help you not only recognize but also confidently produce Präteritum Passiv constructions in your German.
Quick FAQ
Präteritum Passiv, addressing typical learner curiosities and challenges.- Q: Why is
werdenused in the passive, even though it means 'to become'? - A: In German,
werdenserves a dual function. While its primary meaning is 'to become,' it also acts as the essential auxiliary verb for forming the passive voice. In this context, it loses its meaning of 'becoming' and instead indicates that the grammatical subject is the recipient of an action, rather than the performer. It signifies the process of an action being done to someone or something. This grammaticalization ofwerdenis a specific linguistic feature of German. - Q: Can all verbs form the
Präteritum Passiv? - A: No. Only transitive verbs (verbs that can take a direct accusative object) can form a personal passive. This is because the direct object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. Intransitive verbs (which do not take an accusative object, e.g.,
schlafen,gehen,leben) cannot form a personal passive. However, an impersonal passive (Es wurde getanzt) can sometimes be formed with intransitive verbs that express an activity, though this is less common inPräteritum Passiv. - Q: When should I use
vonand whendurchwith the passive voice? - A: Generally,
von+ Dative is used to introduce the personal agent (the person or group who performed the action). For example,Das Buch wurde von mir gelesen.(The book was read by me.)Durch+ Accusative is used to indicate the impersonal cause, means, or instrument by which something happened. For example,Der Unfall wurde durch einen Fehler verursacht.(The accident was caused by a mistake.) Choosing correctly demonstrates a nuanced understanding of causality. - Q: Does the
Präteritum Passivsound old-fashioned in modern German? - A: In spoken German, yes, it can sound quite formal or even old-fashioned for everyday situations. The
Perfekt Passiv(ist ... worden) is almost exclusively preferred in informal conversation. However, in written German, especially in news, academic texts, literature, and historical accounts, thePräteritum Passivremains the standard and appropriate form. It is a sign of educated and precise writing, necessary for conveying formal narrative. Its usage is a hallmark of grammatical proficiency in written German. - Q: What happens if I don't know the
Partizip IIof a verb? - A: The
Partizip IIis an indispensable component for forming all compound tenses (likePerfekt) and the passive voice. Without it, you cannot correctly form thePräteritum Passiv. Therefore, consistent memorization and practice ofPartizip IIforms, particularly for irregular verbs, are fundamental to constructing grammatically correct passive sentences. Regular verbs typically form it withge-+ stem +-t(e.g.,machen→gemacht), while strong/irregular verbs often have vowel changes and end in-en(e.g.,lesen→gelesen).
Conjugation of 'werden' in Präteritum
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
|
ich wurde
|
wir wurden
|
|
2nd
|
du wurdest
|
ihr wurdet
|
|
3rd
|
er/sie/es wurde
|
sie/Sie wurden
|
Meanings
The Präteritum Passiv is used to describe an action that happened in the past where the focus is on the action itself, not the person performing it.
Historical reporting
Describing past events in a formal or narrative context.
“{Die|f} Mauer wurde 1989 geöffnet.”
“{Das|n} Haus wurde 1920 gebaut.”
Process description
Explaining how something was processed or handled.
“{Die|f} Ware wurde verpackt.”
“{Das|n} Auto wurde repariert.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Obj + wurde + Partizip II
|
{Der|m} Brief wurde geschrieben.
|
|
Negative
|
Obj + wurde + nicht + Partizip II
|
{Der|m} Brief wurde nicht geschrieben.
|
|
Question
|
Wurde + Obj + Partizip II?
|
Wurde {der|m} Brief geschrieben?
|
|
Plural
|
Obj + wurden + Partizip II
|
{Die|f} Briefe wurden geschrieben.
|
Formality Spectrum
{Der|m} Bericht wurde fertiggestellt. (Workplace)
{Der|m} Bericht wurde beendet. (Workplace)
{Der|m} Bericht wurde fertig gemacht. (Workplace)
Bericht ist durch. (Workplace)
Passive Voice Components
Auxiliary
- wurde was
- wurden were
Main Verb
- Partizip II Past Participle
Active vs Passive
Examples by Level
{Das|n} Brot wurde gekauft.
The bread was bought.
{Die|f} Tür wurde geschlossen.
The door was closed.
{Der|m} Film wurde gesehen.
The movie was watched.
{Die|f} Aufgabe wurde gemacht.
The task was done.
{Die|f} E-Mails wurden geschrieben.
The emails were written.
{Das|n} Auto wurde repariert.
The car was repaired.
{Die|f} Blumen wurden gegossen.
The flowers were watered.
{Der|m} Kuchen wurde gebacken.
The cake was baked.
{Der|m} Vertrag wurde gestern unterschrieben.
The contract was signed yesterday.
{Die|f} Stadt wurde 1200 gegründet.
The city was founded in 1200.
{Die|f} Fenster wurden geputzt.
The windows were cleaned.
{Das|n} Paket wurde nicht geliefert.
The package was not delivered.
{Die|f} Entscheidung wurde nach langer Diskussion getroffen.
The decision was made after a long discussion.
{Die|f} neuen Regeln wurden vom Chef eingeführt.
The new rules were introduced by the boss.
{Das|n} Gebäude wurde bei dem Brand zerstört.
The building was destroyed in the fire.
{Die|f} Ergebnisse wurden sorgfältig analysiert.
The results were carefully analyzed.
{Der|m} Plan wurde trotz der Bedenken umgesetzt.
The plan was implemented despite the concerns.
{Die|f} Verhandlungen wurden unter Ausschluss der Öffentlichkeit geführt.
The negotiations were conducted behind closed doors.
{Das|n} Gesetz wurde vom Parlament verabschiedet.
The law was passed by parliament.
{Die|f} Beweise wurden dem Gericht vorgelegt.
The evidence was presented to the court.
{Die|f} architektonischen Details wurden meisterhaft herausgearbeitet.
The architectural details were masterfully crafted.
{Die|f} historische Bedeutung wurde in den Vordergrund gestellt.
The historical significance was highlighted.
{Die|f} wirtschaftlichen Folgen wurden unterschätzt.
The economic consequences were underestimated.
{Das|n} Manuskript wurde nach jahrelanger Arbeit vollendet.
The manuscript was completed after years of work.
Easily Confused
Both use past participles.
Both describe the past.
Focusing on the wrong subject.
Common Mistakes
Das Buch war gelesen.
Das Buch wurde gelesen.
Das Auto wurde repariert gestern.
Das Auto wurde gestern repariert.
Die Briefe wurde geschrieben.
Die Briefe wurden geschrieben.
Es wurde das Haus gebaut.
Das Haus wurde gebaut.
Sentence Patterns
___ wurde ___.
Wurde ___ ___?
___ wurden ___.
___ wurde gestern ___.
Real World Usage
{Der|m} Täter wurde gefasst.
{Das|n} Projekt wurde abgeschlossen.
{Die|f} Mauer wurde 1989 geöffnet.
{Der|m} Unfall wurde gemeldet.
{Die|f} Taste wurde gedrückt.
{Das|n} Foto wurde gelöscht.
Focus on the object
Don't use 'war'
Participle position
Formal tone
Smart Tips
Use the passive to sound objective.
Use the passive to focus on events.
Use the passive to omit the agent.
Use the passive for instructions.
Pronunciation
Wurde
The 'u' is short, the 'r' is vocalized.
Statement
Der Brief wurde geschrieben ↘
Neutral declarative.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Wurde is the word that makes the past passive heard.
Visual Association
Imagine a statue being built. The statue is the subject, and the workers are invisible. 'Wurde' is the glue holding the statue to the past.
Rhyme
In the past, the action is done, 'wurde' is the one.
Story
Yesterday, the cake was baked (wurde gebacken). Then, the table was set (wurde gedeckt). Finally, the guests were welcomed (wurden begrüßt).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about things that happened in your kitchen yesterday using the passive.
Cultural Notes
Passive voice is preferred in reports to sound objective.
News reports rely heavily on the passive.
Passive is standard to avoid 'I' or 'we'.
The passive voice in German evolved from the 'werden' (to become) auxiliary.
Conversation Starters
Wurde das Projekt gestern beendet?
Wurde das Essen schon serviert?
Wurde die Entscheidung bereits getroffen?
Wurde das Haus renoviert?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Der Brief ___ geschrieben.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Die Häuser wurde gebaut.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
The cake was baked.
Answer starts with: Der...
Wir ___ gefragt.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
The passive voice uses 'werden'.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesDer Brief ___ geschrieben.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Die Häuser wurde gebaut.
wurde / gestern / das / gegessen / Brot
The cake was baked.
Wir ___ gefragt.
Er las das Buch.
The passive voice uses 'werden'.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesThe book was written in 1920.
wurde / gestern / das / Video / hochgeladen
Die Kinder ___ von der Lehrerin gelobt.
Match the pairs:
Der Dieb wurde durch die Polizei gefasst.
Identify the passive action:
I was invited to the party.
Die E-Mail wurde gestern ___.
gebaut / 1889 / der / Eiffelturm / wurde
Ihr ___ gestern informiert.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
To focus on the action rather than the actor.
Yes, for the Präteritum Passiv.
At the end of the sentence.
Yes, but Perfekt Passiv is more common.
'Wurde' is action, 'war' is state.
Yes, very common in formal writing.
Yes, that is the main purpose.
Intransitive verbs cannot be passive.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Voz pasiva (ser + participio)
German distinguishes action vs state; Spanish uses 'ser'/'estar'.
Voix passive (être + participe passé)
German word order is more rigid.
Passive suffix (-reru/-rareru)
German uses a separate auxiliary verb.
Passive voice (internal vowel change)
German uses an auxiliary verb structure.
Bei-construction
German passive is verb-based.
Passive voice (be + past participle)
German word order is stricter.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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