FORTGANG INSTITUT Start Learning
Passive voice with modal verbs | Fortgang Institut
FORTGANG INSTITUTB1 Grammar Masterclass · 10/16
B1 German grammar · lesson 10

Passive voice with modal verbs

Passive voice foregrounds the action rather than the actor. Present passive uses werden + Partizip II. With a modal verb, place the Partizip II before werden at the end: muss gemacht werden. The person doing the action can be omitted if unknown or unimportant.

CEFR B1Detailed explanationExamples + interactive quiz

Understand the grammar

1. Form and meaning

Passive voice foregrounds the action rather than the actor. Present passive uses werden + Partizip II. With a modal verb, place the Partizip II before werden at the end: muss gemacht werden. The person doing the action can be omitted if unknown or unimportant.

When you study this pattern, identify its communicative purpose first. Then check the verb form, case and word order. German clauses are easier to control when you learn the connector together with the sentence pattern it requires.

Example 1: Der Antrag muss heute abgegeben werden.
Example 2: Die Aufgabe kann online erledigt werden.

2. How to use it accurately

Build your own sentence by replacing one part of the model while keeping the grammar pattern unchanged. Pay attention to the finite verb, commas, noun capitalisation and the case required by any preposition. Read the sentence aloud and compare the meaning with the English explanation.

Study strategy: Make one affirmative example, one question or contrast, and one sentence connected to your own life.

3. Common mistakes to avoid

  • Do not translate English word order directly into German.
  • Check whether your connector starts a main clause or a subordinate clause.
  • Keep commas around subordinate and relative clauses where required.
  • Memorise useful phrases in context rather than learning an isolated rule only.

Quick reference

Meaning

What relationship does the grammar express: reason, time, contrast, purpose, condition or result?

Word order

Locate the conjugated verb and check whether it belongs at the end or in second position.

Form

Check endings, auxiliary verbs, case and agreement before you finalise the sentence.

Practice

Create three original examples and use at least one in a short spoken or written answer.

Interactive knowledge check

Select one answer for each question, then check your score and explanations.

1. Complete: Die Regeln müssen beachtet ___.

2. Modal passive ends with werden.

3. Werden + Partizip II forms the present passive.

Use it in your own German

Write 3–5 original sentences using this grammar. Try to describe a real situation from your daily life, studies, work or plans.

Self-check checklist
  • Did I use the target grammar in every required sentence?
  • Is the conjugated verb in the correct position?
  • Are nouns capitalised and clauses punctuated?
  • Does each sentence communicate one clear idea?

Continue learning with Fortgang Institut

German Vocabulary Hub

Expand the words and phrases you need to use grammar naturally.

Explore vocabulary ↗
German Beyond Classroom

Connect textbook grammar with German media and real-world resources.

Explore resources ↗
Explore learning resources

Discover more learning tools from Fortgang Institut.

Explore the hub ↗
Exam preparation and courses

Practise for Goethe-Zertifikat and explore structured learning.

B1 course ↗ · Level test ↗

Original B1 learning material with illustrative examples. This page is an independent study resource, not an official Goethe-Institut page or a reproduction of a textbook.