By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Apply: Rule 1: Conjugate werden
- Apply: Rule 2: Use the Partizip II of the main verb
- Apply: Rule 3: Put the Partizip II at the end
- Apply: Rule 4: Match werden to the new subject
- Usage, exceptions and meaning
Simple explanation
What is the passive voice?
In an active sentence, the person or thing performing the action is usually the focus. For example: Der Mechaniker repariert das Auto. In a passive sentence, the action or process becomes more important: Das Auto wird repariert. The person doing the action can be mentioned, but often it is unnecessary.
When do we use the present passive?
The present passive is useful when an action is happening now, regularly, or generally, and the person doing it is unknown, obvious, or not important. It is common in instructions, workplace descriptions, announcements, public information, and explanations of processes.
How is the present passive formed?
The basic structure contains two verbal parts: a conjugated form of werden and the past participle, or Partizip II, of the main verb. For example: Die Tür wird geöffnet. Here, wird is the conjugated form of werden and geöffnet is the Partizip II of öffnen.
What happens to the accusative object?
In many simple active sentences, the accusative object becomes the grammatical subject of the passive sentence. Aktiv: Die Firma produziert die Maschinen. Passiv: Die Maschinen werden produziert. The new subject now controls the form of werden. Because die Maschinen is plural, the correct form is werden.
Where does the Partizip II go?
In a normal main clause, the conjugated form of werden is usually in position two, while the Partizip II goes to the end. Example: Das Essen wird jeden Morgen frisch vorbereitet. Time, place, and other information can appear between werden and the Partizip II.
Do we have to say who performs the action?
No. One major reason to use the passive is that the person doing the action is often not important. If the person or organization matters, German often uses von + dative. Example: Der Patient wird vom Arzt untersucht. Vom is the contraction of von dem.
werden or sein with Partizip II?
At A2 level, remember this basic difference: werden + Partizip II usually describes a process or action, while sein + Partizip II often describes a resulting state. Die Tür wird geöffnet means the door is being opened. Die Tür ist geöffnet means the door is open.
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Present process passive uses conjugated werden and a participle: Die Tür wird geschlossen. Die Tür ist geschlossen describes a state; it is a different construction. In a transitive transformation, an accusative object can become passive subject and determine agreement; a dative does not automatically become nominative. An optional agent uses von + dative. This introductory pattern is not a claim that every verb permits the same simple transformation.
Usage reference table
The table gives construction models. Meaning-question options follow the interface language; translated sentences appear in Examples.
| Pattern or function | Target-language model |
|---|---|
| Rule 1: Conjugate werden | Der Brief wird geschrieben. |
| Rule 1: Conjugate werden | Die Briefe werden geschrieben. |
| Rule 2: Use the Partizip II of the main verb | Die Tür wird geöffnet. |
| Rule 8: Use von + dative for the agent when needed | Der Brief wird von dem Lehrer geschrieben. |
| Meaning in context | Die Tür wird geschlossen. |
| Rule 6: Put werden first in yes/no questions | Wird das Auto heute repariert? |
Grammar formula
Affirmative statement
Subjekt + konjugiertes werden + ... + Partizip IIDas Auto wird repariert.
Negative statement
Subjekt + konjugiertes werden + ... + nicht + Partizip IIDas Auto wird heute nicht repariert.
Yes/no question
Konjugiertes werden + Subjekt + ... + Partizip II?Wird das Auto heute repariert?
W-question
Fragewort + konjugiertes werden + Subjekt + ... + Partizip II?Wann wird das Auto repariert?
Passive with agent
Subjekt + werden + von + Dativ + ... + Partizip IIDas Auto wird vom Mechaniker repariert.
Core rules
- 1
Rule 1: Conjugate werden
The form of werden must agree with the subject of the passive sentence: ich werde, du wirst, er/sie/es wird, wir werden, ihr werdet, sie/Sie werden.
- 2
Rule 2: Use the Partizip II of the main verb
The main verb does not stay in the infinitive. It changes to Partizip II: machen → gemacht, öffnen → geöffnet, reparieren → repariert.
- 3
Rule 3: Put the Partizip II at the end
In a simple main clause, the conjugated form of werden is near the beginning and the Partizip II is normally at the end: Die Straße wird heute repariert.
- 4
Rule 4: Match werden to the new subject
After changing an active sentence into the passive, check the new subject carefully. Example: Die Firma verkauft die Produkte. → Die Produkte werden verkauft. Because die Produkte is plural, we use werden.
- 5
Rule 5: Use nicht for negation
A passive action can be negated with nicht. Example: Das Büro wird heute nicht geöffnet. At A2 level, nicht often appears before the Partizip II or before the element being negated.
- 6
Rule 6: Put werden first in yes/no questions
In a yes/no question, the conjugated form of werden moves to the first position: Wird das Paket heute geliefert?
- 7
Rule 7: Put the question word before werden in W-questions
In a W-question, the question word comes first, followed by the conjugated form of werden: Wann wird das Paket geliefert?
- 8
Rule 8: Use von + dative for the agent when needed
If you want to mention who performs the action, von + dative is often used: Die Rechnung wird von der Firma bezahlt. The agent is optional in many passive sentences.
- 9
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Present process passive uses conjugated werden and a participle: Die Tür wird geschlossen. Die Tür ist geschlossen describes a state; it is a different construction. In a transitive transformation, an accusative object can become passive subject and determine agreement; a dative does not automatically become nominative. An optional agent uses von + dative. This introductory pattern is not a claim that every verb permits the same simple transformation.
Useful examples
Das Auto wird heute repariert.
The car is being repaired today.
The action is the focus, so the mechanic does not need to be mentioned.
Die Pakete werden am Vormittag geliefert.
The packages are delivered in the morning.
Die Pakete is plural, so the correct form is werden.
Das Essen wird in der Küche vorbereitet.
The food is prepared in the kitchen.
The person preparing the food is not important here.
Die Tür wird um acht Uhr geöffnet.
The door is opened at eight o'clock.
Geöffnet is the Partizip II of öffnen.
Die Zimmer werden jeden Tag gereinigt.
The rooms are cleaned every day.
The passive is natural for describing regular routines.
Der Patient wird vom Arzt untersucht.
The patient is examined by the doctor.
Vom Arzt identifies the person performing the action.
Das Formular wird online ausgefüllt.
The form is filled out online.
Ausgefüllt is the Partizip II of the separable verb ausfüllen.
Die Rechnung wird heute nicht bezahlt.
The bill is not being paid today.
Nicht makes the passive action negative.
Wird der Kaffee hier serviert?
Is coffee served here?
In a yes/no question, wird comes first.
Wann wird die Straße gesperrt?
When will the street be closed?
After Wann, the conjugated form wird comes before the subject.
Hier wird Deutsch gesprochen.
German is spoken here.
The speaker is not identified because the activity is more important.
Die neuen Computer werden nächste Woche installiert.
The new computers will be installed next week.
Installieren forms the Partizip II without ge-: installiert.
Das Brot wird jeden Morgen frisch gebacken.
The bread is baked fresh every morning.
The sentence focuses on the baking process.
Die E-Mails werden von unserer Kollegin beantwortet.
The emails are answered by our colleague.
Von unserer Kollegin identifies the agent in the dative case.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Der Brief werde geschrieben. ✅ Der Brief wird geschrieben.
- ❌ Die Briefe wird geschrieben. ✅ Die Briefe werden geschrieben.
- ❌ Die Tür wird öffnen. ✅ Die Tür wird geöffnet.
- ❌ Der Brief wird von den Lehrer geschrieben. ✅ Der Brief wird von dem Lehrer geschrieben.
- ❌ Die Tür wird geschlossen. → a state ✅ Die Tür wird geschlossen. → a process or action
- ❌ Werden das Auto heute repariert? ✅ Wird das Auto heute repariert?
Learning tips
- Look for a conjugated form of werden together with a Partizip II. This is the main signal of the present passive.
- When changing an active sentence into the passive, first find the accusative object. It often becomes the new subject.
- After changing the subject, check whether it is singular or plural before choosing wird or werden.
- Learn important Partizip II forms together with their verbs, because the passive depends on them.
- Do not add the agent unless it is useful information. Passive sentences are often more natural without it.
- Verbs ending in -ieren normally do not take ge- in the Partizip II: repariert, kontrolliert, installiert.
- Keep the basic distinction clear: werden + Partizip II describes a process, while sein + Partizip II often describes a state.
Use it in your own text
Write six connected sentences about your life, plans or experiences, using each table pattern once. Check why each construction fits, using this lesson’s rules. This is self-assessment; the multiple-choice test has a separate recorded score.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 1.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 2.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 3.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 4.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 5.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 6.
Show the model
Der Brief wird geschrieben. Die Briefe werden geschrieben. Die Tür wird geöffnet. Der Brief wird von dem Lehrer geschrieben. Die Tür wird geschlossen. Wird das Auto heute repariert?
Check your own work
- My intended meaning fits the chosen construction.
- I checked subject, verb form, case/preposition and word order.
- I adapted the models to my own context and considered the exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What should I check for “Rule 1: Conjugate werden”?
The form of werden must agree with the subject of the passive sentence: ich werde, du wirst, er/sie/es wird, wir werden, ihr werdet, sie/Sie werden.
What should I check for “Rule 2: Use the Partizip II of the main verb”?
The main verb does not stay in the infinitive. It changes to Partizip II: machen → gemacht, öffnen → geöffnet, reparieren → repariert.
What should I check for “Rule 3: Put the Partizip II at the end”?
In a simple main clause, the conjugated form of werden is near the beginning and the Partizip II is normally at the end: Die Straße wird heute repariert.
What should I check for “Rule 4: Match werden to the new subject”?
After changing an active sentence into the passive, check the new subject carefully. Example: Die Firma verkauft die Produkte. → Die Produkte werden verkauft. Because die Produkte is plural, we use werden.
What should I check for “Rule 5: Use nicht for negation”?
A passive action can be negated with nicht. Example: Das Büro wird heute nicht geöffnet. At A2 level, nicht often appears before the Partizip II or before the element being negated.
What should I check for “Rule 6: Put werden first in yes/no questions”?
In a yes/no question, the conjugated form of werden moves to the first position: Wird das Paket heute geliefert?
What should I check for “Rule 7: Put the question word before werden in W-questions”?
In a W-question, the question word comes first, followed by the conjugated form of werden: Wann wird das Paket geliefert?
What should I check for “Rule 8: Use von + dative for the agent when needed”?
If you want to mention who performs the action, von + dative is often used: Die Rechnung wird von der Firma bezahlt. The agent is optional in many passive sentences.
What should I check for “Usage, exceptions and meaning”?
Present process passive uses conjugated werden and a participle: Die Tür wird geschlossen. Die Tür ist geschlossen describes a state; it is a different construction. In a transitive transformation, an accusative object can become passive subject and determine agreement; a dative does not automatically become nominative. An optional agent uses von + dative. This introductory pattern is not a claim that every verb permits the same simple transformation.
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