Past Passive: ist ... worden (Process)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'ist ... worden' to describe actions that were completed in the past, focusing on the result or the process itself.
- Use the auxiliary 'sein' in the present tense: 'Das Auto ist...'
- Add the past participle of the main verb: '...repariert...'
- Always end with 'worden' (not 'geworden'): '...worden.'
Overview
In German, when you want to talk about an action that was completed in the past, you typically use the Perfekt tense (e.g., ich habe gemacht). But what if the focus isn't on who did the action, but on the fact that the action happened to something or someone? This is where the Past Passive, specifically the Perfekt Passiv, comes in.
It's the standard way in modern spoken German to say "something has been done" or "something was done."
Consider the sentence: "The invoice has been sent." The crucial information is the status of the invoice, not the specific person in accounting who sent it. The Perfekt Passiv allows you to communicate this focus with precision. It is formed with the auxiliary verb sein, the past participle of the main verb, and the special word worden.
This structure emphasizes the completed process or action, making it a cornerstone of everyday communication.
This grammar pattern is officially known as the Vorgangspassiv im Perfekt. The term Vorgang means "process" or "procedure," which perfectly captures its function: it highlights the action as it unfolded and reached completion. While its formal name might seem intimidating, its usage is natural and frequent in both conversation and writing.
Conjugation Table
| Pronoun | Conjugated Auxiliary (sein) |
Verb Phrase (Participle + worden) |
Full Sentence Example (I have been seen, etc.) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | |||
ich |
bin |
gesehen worden |
Ich bin gesehen worden. |
|||
du |
bist |
gesehen worden |
Du bist gesehen worden. |
|||
er/sie/es |
ist |
gesehen worden |
`{Der | m} Dieb ist gesehen worden.` (The thief has been seen.) | ||
wir |
sind |
gesehen worden |
Wir sind gesehen worden. |
|||
ihr |
seid |
gesehen worden |
Ihr seid gesehen worden. |
|||
sie/Sie |
sind |
gesehen worden |
`{Die | f} Dokumente sind gesehen worden.` (The documents have been seen.) |
How This Grammar Works
- Active Perfekt Sentence: Focuses on the agent.
Ein Kollege hat den Bericht geschrieben.(A colleague wrote the report.)- Here,
Ein Kollegeis the subject, the one performing the action.
- Passive Perfekt Sentence: Focuses on the thing being acted upon.
Der Bericht ist geschrieben worden.(The report has been written.)- Now,
der Berichtis the subject. The original subject (Ein Kollege) has disappeared because it's not the focus. The action of writing is what matters.
werden. To form the past tense of a verb phrase, you use an auxiliary (haben or sein) plus the past participle of the main verb.werden. The past participle of werden is geworden, and it forms its perfect tense with sein.*Der Bericht ist geschrieben geworden. However, German grammar simplifies this. When geworden appears at the end of a clause next to another past participle (geschrieben), it drops its ge- prefix to avoid the repetitive ge-/ge- sound. This creates the unique, streamlined form worden.Formation Pattern
sein takes the second position, and the Partizip II + worden cluster goes to the very end.
sein ) | Middle Part (Time, Manner, Place) | End of Clause (Partizip II + worden) |
Das Auto | ist | gestern | repariert worden |
Die E-Mails | sind | schnell | beantwortet worden |
Ich | bin | zum Glück nicht | verletzt worden |
sein moves to the first position.
Ist das Problem schon gelöst worden? (Has the problem been solved yet?)
Sind die Tickets endlich gebucht worden? (Have the tickets finally been booked?)
sein.
Wann ist das Museum eröffnet worden? (When was the museum opened?)
Warum ist dieses Gesetz geändert worden? (Why has this law been changed?)
weil, dass, ob), the conjugated verb sein is pushed to the absolute end of the clause, after worden.
Ich weiß, dass der Flug storniert worden ist. (I know that the flight has been cancelled.)
Er ist froh, weil seine Bewerbung akzeptiert worden ist. (He is happy because his application has been accepted.)
When To Use It
- Everyday Conversation and Informal Writing: This is its primary domain. When talking with friends, writing emails, or sending text messages, this form sounds much more current and less stiff than its narrative alternative, the Präteritum Passiv.
Dein Paket ist gestern Abend zugestellt worden.(Your package was delivered last night.)Bist du auch zur Party eingeladen worden?(Were you also invited to the party?)
- News and Factual Reports: It is used frequently in news reporting to state facts about events that have just concluded. The focus is on the event itself, not necessarily on who caused it.
Der vermisste Bergsteiger ist lebend gefunden worden.(The missing mountaineer has been found alive.)Die Wahlen sind für beendet erklärt worden.(The elections have been declared finished.)
- Status Updates and Confirmations (Work and Personal): It's perfect for confirming that a task is complete.
Chef, der Vertrag ist an den Kunden geschickt worden.(Boss, the contract has been sent to the client.)Keine Sorge, das Gas ist abgestellt worden, bevor wir gegangen sind.(Don't worry, the gas was turned off before we left.)
- When the Agent is Unknown, Obvious, or Unimportant: If you don't know who performed the action, or it's irrelevant to the point you're making, the passive is the ideal choice.
Mein Fahrrad ist gestohlen worden!(My bike has been stolen!) - You don't know who the thief is.In Deutschland ist viel Bier getrunken worden.(A lot of beer was drunk in Germany.) - It's obvious people did it.
When Not To Use It
- To Describe a Resulting State (not a process): This is the most important distinction. If you want to describe the current state of something that resulted from a past action, you must use the Statal Passive (Zustandspassiv), which omits
worden. - Process:
Die Tür ist um 20 Uhr geschlossen worden.(The door was closed at 8 PM.) - This describes the action of closing. - State:
Die Tür ist geschlossen.(The door is closed.) - This describes the current state of the door. It is not open. - Using
ist ... wordento describe a state is a common B1 error. Thewordenspecifically points to the action/process, not the static result.
- In Formal Narratives (e.g., Novels, Historical Accounts): While the Perfekt Passiv can appear in writing, the Präteritum Passiv (
wurde ... gebaut,wurde ... gesagt) is often preferred for storytelling. It creates a more fluid narrative past tense, whereas the Perfekt tends to present information as a collection of completed facts connected to the present. - Narrative Style:
Die Brücke wurde im 15. Jahrhundert gebaut.(The bridge was built in the 15th century.) - Factual Report Style:
Die Brücke ist renoviert worden und kann jetzt wieder benutzt werden.(The bridge has been renovated and can now be used again.)
- When the Agent Is the Most Important Information: If the focus of your sentence is clearly on the person or thing that performed the action, using the passive voice is weak and indirect. The active voice is stronger and more direct.
- Weak:
Der Roman „Die Blechtrommel“ ist von Günter Grass geschrieben worden. - Stronger:
Günter Grass hat den Roman „Die Blechtrommel“ geschrieben.
Common Mistakes
- 1Using
gewordeninstead ofworden
- Incorrect:
*Das Essen ist gekocht geworden. - Correct:
Das Essen ist gekocht worden. - Why it happens: Learners correctly memorize that the past participle of
werdenisgeworden. However, German grammar has a special rule: to avoid the clunkyge-...ge-repetition, thege-is dropped fromgewordenwhen it's part of a Perfekt Passiv construction. Remember,wordenis the special, lean version used only here.gewordenis used everywhere else and means "became" or "have become" (e.g.,Er ist müde geworden.- He has become tired).
- 1Using
habeninstead ofseinas the auxiliary
- Incorrect:
Man hat das Fenster geöffnet->Das Fenster hat geöffnet worden. - Correct:
Das Fenster ist geöffnet worden. - Why it happens: The majority of German verbs use
habento form their active Perfekt tense, so it's a deeply ingrained habit. However, the passive voice is an exception. Because the passive is constructed withwerden, it inherits the grammatical properties ofwerden. Verbs of change or movement, includingwerden(to become), form their perfect tense withsein. Therefore, the entireVorgangspassivsystem usesseinfor its perfect tenses.
- 1Incorrect Word Order in Subordinate Clauses
- Incorrect:
*Er sagt, dass das Auto repariert ist worden. - Correct:
Er sagt, dass das Auto repariert worden ist. - Why it happens: The "verb pile-up" at the end of a German subordinate clause is notoriously difficult. Learners often forget to move the conjugated auxiliary verb (
ist) to the absolute final position. The rule is unwavering: in a subordinate clause, the verb that is conjugated to the subject goes last.
Memory Trick
A simple way to remember the sein vs. haben rule is to think of the passive voice as describing a change of state. Something was one way, and now, due to an action, it is another. The package was at the warehouse; now it has been delivered. The wall was blank; now it has been painted.
In German grammar, verbs that signify a change of state or location (reisen, aufstehen, sterben, werden) overwhelmingly use sein to form their perfect tense. Since the entire passive voice is built upon werden (to become, to get), it logically follows that the Perfekt Passiv must also use sein. Connect passive with change, and connect change with sein.
For the worden vs. geworden problem, use the "Double ge- Diet." Imagine the grammatically "logical" but overweight phrase ...gekocht geworden. German grammar finds this repetitive sound unpleasant and puts the second participle on a diet, trimming the ge- prefix. The result is the lean, efficient worden we use today.
Real Conversations
This structure is not a dry, textbook-only rule. You will hear and use it constantly in real-life situations.
- At the Office (Email):
- Subject: Update zu Projekt X
- Hallo Team, nur zur Info: Die Präsentation für den Kunden ist fertiggestellt und soeben versendet worden. Das Feedback ist für Freitag angefragt worden.
- (Hi Team, just for your information: The presentation for the client has been finished and was just sent. Feedback has been requested for Friday.)
- Texting with a friend:
- Person A: Hey, hast du was von der Uni gehört? (Hey, have you heard anything from the university?)
- Person B: Ja! Ich bin zum Masterstudium zugelassen worden! 🎉 (Yes! I've been accepted to the master's program!)
- Listening to the News:
- Nach dem Sturm sind mehrere Straßen wegen umgestürzter Bäume gesperrt worden. Die Aufräumarbeiten sind bereits begonnen worden.
- (After the storm, several roads were closed due to fallen trees. The cleanup work has already been started.)
- Making plans:
- Ist der Tisch für Samstag schon reserviert worden? (Has the table for Saturday been reserved yet?)
- Ja, hab ich gestern gemacht. Wir sind für 20 Uhr bestätigt worden. (Yes, I did it yesterday. We have been confirmed for 8 PM.)
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Understanding the subtle differences between the Perfekt Passiv and related structures is a sign of true mastery. The key is to ask: what is the focus? The action, the result, or the agent?
| Structure | German Example | Translation | Focus & Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Perfekt | Der Architekt hat das Haus geplant. | The architect planned the house. | Agent. Emphasizes who performed the action. The standard active past tense. |
| Präteritum Passiv | Das Haus wurde 1990 geplant. | The house was planned in 1990. | Action (Narrative). Emphasizes the action in the past. Used in formal writing, storytelling, and historical narratives. |
| Perfekt Passiv (Vorgangspassiv) | Das Haus ist geplant worden. | The house has been planned. | Action (Completed Process). Emphasizes that the action is complete. The standard passive past for conversation and factual updates. |
| Statal Passive (Zustandspassiv) | Das Haus ist geplant. | The house is planned. | Resulting State. Emphasizes the current condition. The planning is done; this is the result. Note the missing worden. |
Progressive Practice
Let's put this into practice. Work your way through these levels to build confidence.
Level 1: Convert from Active to Passive
Transform the active sentence into the Perfekt Passiv. Remember to change the subject!
- Active: Man hat den Wein nach Italien exportiert.
- Passive: ?
- Answer: Der Wein ist nach Italien exportiert worden.
Level 2: Add the Agent
Now, convert the active sentence and include the agent using von + Dative.
- Active: Die Polizei hat den Fall untersucht.
- Passive with Agent: ?
- Answer: Der Fall ist von der Polizei untersucht worden.
Level 3: Form a Question
Turn the statement into a grammatically correct yes/no question.
- Statement: Die Regeln sind deutlich erklärt worden.
- Question: ?
- Answer: Sind die Regeln deutlich erklärt worden?
Level 4: Create a Subordinate Clause
Combine the two ideas using ob (if/whether), remembering the special word order.
- Sentences: Ich weiß es nicht. Man hat ihn informiert.
- Combined with ob: ?
- Answer: Ich weiß nicht, ob er informiert worden ist.
Quick FAQ
worden and not geworden one more time?It's a special grammatical simplification. To avoid the awkward sound of two participles starting with ge- in a row (e.g., ...ge-kauft ge-worden), German drops the prefix from geworden, leaving the lean and unique worden used exclusively in this passive construction.
wurde ...) all the time?You can, but it will affect how your German sounds. In formal writing or when telling a story, wurde is often perfect. But in everyday conversation about a past event (Did you get invited?, The package was delivered), using wurde can sound overly formal, a bit like a newsreader. ist ... worden is the more common and natural choice for spoken German.
You use the preposition von followed by the agent in the dative case. For example: Das Lied ist von einer berühmten Sängerin gesungen worden. (The song was sung by a famous singer). If the action was done by an instrument or an impersonal force, you often use durch + Akkusativ: Das Dach wurde durch den Sturm beschädigt. (The roof was damaged by the storm).
müssen or können?This creates a more advanced structure (B2/C1 level) using a "double infinitive." The pattern changes completely: Das Formular musste ausgefüllt werden. (Präteritum) or Das Formular hat ausgefüllt werden müssen. (Perfekt). This is a complex topic; for B1, focus on mastering the non-modal Perfekt Passiv first. It's the most frequent and essential form.
It's a universal, neutral structure. You'll hear it in casual chats with friends, in business meetings, on the news, and read it in emails. While formal narrative writing might prefer the Präteritum Passiv, the Perfekt Passiv is never wrong and is the dominant form in most spoken contexts.
Perfect Passive Conjugation
| Person | Auxiliary (sein) | Participle | Passive Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ich
|
bin
|
gemacht
|
worden
|
|
Du
|
bist
|
gemacht
|
worden
|
|
Er/Sie/Es
|
ist
|
gemacht
|
worden
|
|
Wir
|
sind
|
gemacht
|
worden
|
|
Ihr
|
seid
|
gemacht
|
worden
|
|
Sie/sie
|
sind
|
gemacht
|
worden
|
Meanings
This structure describes a process that happened in the past where the focus is on the action received by the subject rather than who performed it.
Completed Process
An action that was carried out in the past.
“Der Brief ist geschrieben worden.”
“Die Tür ist geschlossen worden.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + ist + Part + worden
|
Das Brot ist gebacken worden.
|
|
Negative
|
Subj + ist + nicht + Part + worden
|
Das Brot ist nicht gebacken worden.
|
|
Question
|
Ist + Subj + Part + worden?
|
Ist das Brot gebacken worden?
|
|
Plural
|
Subj + sind + Part + worden
|
Die Brote sind gebacken worden.
|
|
Short Answer
|
Ja, es ist ... worden.
|
Ja, es ist gebacken worden.
|
|
Reflexive
|
N/A
|
Passive is rarely used with reflexive verbs.
|
Formality Spectrum
Der Bericht ist fertiggestellt worden. (Office)
Der Bericht ist fertig gemacht worden. (Office)
Der Bericht ist fertig. (Office)
Bericht ist durch. (Office)
Passive Voice Components
Auxiliary
- sein to be
Verb
- Partizip II past participle
Marker
- worden been
Active vs Passive
Passive Decision Tree
Is the action in the past?
Passive Usage
Formal
- • Reports
- • News
- • Legal
Informal
- • Texting
- • Social Media
Examples by Level
Das Brot ist gekauft worden.
The bread was bought.
Der Film ist gesehen worden.
The movie was watched.
Das Buch ist gelesen worden.
The book was read.
Die Arbeit ist gemacht worden.
The work was done.
Die E-Mail ist gestern geschrieben worden.
The email was written yesterday.
Das Haus ist renoviert worden.
The house was renovated.
Die Blumen sind gegossen worden.
The flowers were watered.
Der Kuchen ist gebacken worden.
The cake was baked.
Der Vertrag ist von der Firma unterschrieben worden.
The contract was signed by the company.
Die Entscheidung ist schnell getroffen worden.
The decision was made quickly.
Alle Aufgaben sind erledigt worden.
All tasks have been completed.
Ist das Paket schon verschickt worden?
Has the package already been sent?
Es ist viel über das Thema diskutiert worden.
Much has been discussed about the topic.
Die Sicherheitsmaßnahmen sind verschärft worden.
The security measures have been tightened.
Das Projekt ist aufgrund von Zeitmangel abgebrochen worden.
The project was cancelled due to lack of time.
Sind die Fehler korrigiert worden?
Have the errors been corrected?
Die archäologischen Funde sind sorgfältig katalogisiert worden.
The archaeological finds have been carefully cataloged.
Es ist versäumt worden, die notwendigen Schritte einzuleiten.
It has been neglected to initiate the necessary steps.
Die neuen Richtlinien sind einstimmig verabschiedet worden.
The new guidelines have been passed unanimously.
Trotz der Warnungen ist das Risiko eingegangen worden.
Despite the warnings, the risk was taken.
Die strukturellen Mängel sind im Zuge der Sanierung behoben worden.
The structural defects have been remedied in the course of the renovation.
Es ist durch die Untersuchung zweifelsfrei bewiesen worden, dass...
It has been proven beyond doubt by the investigation that...
Die kulturellen Nuancen sind in der Übersetzung beibehalten worden.
The cultural nuances have been preserved in the translation.
Die Weichen für die Zukunft sind bereits gestellt worden.
The course for the future has already been set.
Easily Confused
Both use 'sein'.
Both look similar.
Who did it?
Common Mistakes
Das ist gemacht geworden.
Das ist gemacht worden.
Das hat gemacht worden.
Das ist gemacht worden.
Das ist gemacht.
Das ist gemacht worden.
Das ist worden gemacht.
Das ist gemacht worden.
Die Arbeit wurde gemacht worden.
Die Arbeit ist gemacht worden.
Es ist gegessen worden von mir.
Es ist von mir gegessen worden.
Das Auto ist repariert.
Das Auto ist repariert worden.
Das ist worden.
Das ist gemacht worden.
Die Tür ist geschlossen.
Die Tür ist geschlossen worden.
Es sind viel gemacht worden.
Es ist viel gemacht worden.
Es ist zu tun worden.
Es ist getan worden.
Die Sache ist erledigt gewesen.
Die Sache ist erledigt worden.
Es ist worden gemacht.
Es ist gemacht worden.
Die Fehler sind korrigiert.
Die Fehler sind korrigiert worden.
Sentence Patterns
Das ___ ist ___ worden.
Ist das ___ schon ___ worden?
Die ___ sind von uns ___ worden.
Es ist ___ worden, dass ___.
Real World Usage
Mein Account ist gehackt worden!
Die Deadline ist verschoben worden.
Der Täter ist gefasst worden.
Ihre Bestellung ist storniert worden.
Der Flug ist abgesagt worden.
Ist das Paket schon abgeholt worden?
The 'worden' Rule
No 'geworden'
Focus on the Object
Passive in Writing
Smart Tips
Use the passive to keep the focus on the action.
Use the passive to describe the event.
Use the passive to maintain objectivity.
Use the passive for the steps.
Pronunciation
Worden
The 'o' is long and the 'en' is a schwa sound.
Statement
Das ist gemacht ↘worden.
Falling intonation for a completed fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'worden' as the 'word' that finishes the passive sentence.
Visual Association
Imagine a robot (the passive voice) holding a sign that says 'worden' at the end of every sentence.
Rhyme
In the past, the action is done, 'ist' comes first, 'worden' is the one.
Story
The kitchen was a mess. The cake was baked (ist gebacken worden). The dishes were washed (sind gespült worden). The floor was cleaned (ist geputzt worden). Everything was finished.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe three things you did today using the passive voice (e.g., 'Der Kaffee ist getrunken worden').
Cultural Notes
Passive is used more in written German than in spoken German.
Similar usage, but sometimes prefers 'sein' + 'worden' even more.
Often uses 'sein' + 'worden' in formal contexts.
The passive voice in German evolved from the 'werden' (to become) construction.
Conversation Starters
Was ist heute bei dir gemacht worden?
Ist das Essen schon gekocht worden?
Sind die Hausaufgaben schon korrigiert worden?
Ist das Projekt schon abgeschlossen worden?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Das Auto ist ___ worden.
Die Arbeit ___ gemacht worden.
Find and fix the mistake:
Das Buch ist gelesen geworden.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
The cake was eaten.
Answer starts with: Der...
Which sentence is passive?
Die Tür ist geöffnet ___.
Die Blumen / gießen / gestern
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesDas Auto ist ___ worden.
Die Arbeit ___ gemacht worden.
Find and fix the mistake:
Das Buch ist gelesen geworden.
worden / Das / ist / gemacht / Haus
The cake was eaten.
Which sentence is passive?
Die Tür ist geöffnet ___.
Die Blumen / gießen / gestern
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesWir ___ nicht informiert worden.
worden / ist / {Der|m} Fehler / korrigiert
Choose the correct Passive Perfect sentence:
{Die|f} Tickets sind schon reserviert ___.
Er ist operiert geworden.
The key ({der|m} Schlüssel) has been found (gefunden).
Match correctly:
{Das|n} Buch ist ___ worden.
worden / er / ist / gefragt / ?
Which sentence is NOT Passive?
{Die|f} Arbeit ist worden erledigt.
{Die|f} Fenster ___ geputzt worden.
It has been done.
Score: /13
FAQ (8)
Passive voice in German is constructed with 'sein' because it describes a state or a process, not an active possession.
Yes, it is very common in spoken German to describe completed actions.
'Worden' is the passive marker. 'Geworden' is the past participle of 'werden' (to become).
It can be, but it's also used in everyday life when the agent is unknown.
Add 'nicht' after the auxiliary verb 'sein'.
Only with transitive verbs that can take an object.
Yes, it is the standard way to report past events without blaming anyone.
Because it describes a 'Vorgang' (process) rather than a 'Zustand' (state).
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ser + participio
German requires 'worden' as a marker.
être + participe passé
French doesn't have a 'worden' equivalent.
to be + past participle
German word order is more rigid.
reru/rareru suffix
German uses auxiliary verbs.
Internal vowel change
German uses a multi-word construction.
bei/shou marker
German uses auxiliary verbs and participles.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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