Choosing S-Passive Or Blive-Passive
Danish has two main ways to form the passive: the s-passive (adding -s) and the blive-passive (using 'blive' + participle). The choice depends on whether you are describing a general rule or a specific event.
How It Works
In Danish, the passive voice shifts the focus from the 'doer' to the 'receiver' of the action. Choosing between the two forms is a matter of register and timing:
- S-Passive: Formed by replacing the -r in the present tense with -s (e.g., spiser → spises) or adding -s to the infinitive. It is impersonal and timeless. You see it in recipes, laws, and signs (e.g., 'Døren lukkes'). It is also the standard form after modal verbs like skal or kan.
- Blive-Passive: Formed with the auxiliary verb blive and the past participle. It is event-based and dynamic. It describes a specific occurrence in time (e.g., 'Døren blev lukket af ham'). This is the most common form in spoken Danish and storytelling.
Register Note: The s-passive is very common in formal writing but rare in speech, except when following a modal verb. The blive-passive is the natural choice for everyday conversation.
Examples (5)
- Vinduet lukkes hver aften.
The window is closed every evening.
Word by Word: The window close-s every evening.
This uses the s-passive because it describes a recurring habit or general rule.
- Vinduet blev lukket af min mor i går.
The window was closed by my mother yesterday.
Word by Word: The window became closed by my mother yesterday.
This uses the blive-passive because it refers to a specific, concrete event in the past.
- Det skal gøres nu.
It must be done now.
Word by Word: It shall do-s now.
The s-passive is almost always used after modal verbs like 'skal', even for specific tasks.
- Maden serveres klokken 18.
Dinner is served at 6 PM.
Word by Word: The food serve-s o'clock 18.
This is a general instruction or schedule, making the s-passive the appropriate choice.
- Han blev kørt på hospitalet.
He was driven to the hospital.
Word by Word: He became driven on the hospital.
This describes a specific dynamic event, so the blive-passive is used.
Common Mistakes
Using the s-passive for specific past events in speech.
Different MeaningHan fyredes i går.Han blev fyret i går.While 'fyredes' is grammatically possible, it sounds very stiff or like a newspaper headline. In natural speech, use 'blev' for specific events.
Forgetting to remove the -r when forming the present s-passive.
Kagen spisers nu.Kagen spises nu.To form the s-passive in the present tense, you must replace the -r ending with -s, not just add -s to the end.
Mixing up the blive-passive (an action) with the state with 'være'.
Different MeaningDøren bliver lukket.Døren er lukket.The two sentences are both correct, but they mean different things. 'Døren bliver lukket' says the door is being closed right now (an action). 'Døren er lukket' says the door is already closed (a state). Pick the one that fits what you mean.
How It Connects
Learn This First
This comparison helps you understand the differences between s-passiv and blive-passiv. Study each pattern individually first.
- -s (passiv)S-Passive
You need to understand how to use s-passiv (S-Passive) before learning when to choose between related patterns.
Level 3 - blive + Past ParticipleBlive-Passive
You need to understand how to use blive-passiv (Blive-Passive) before learning when to choose between related patterns.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- være + Past ParticipleState Passive with Være
Used to describe the resulting state rather than the action itself.
Level 3 - Modal With A Passive
Explains why the s-passive is preferred after modal verbs.
Level 3 - Deponent S-Verbs
Verbs that look like s-passives but have active meanings (like 'synes').
Level 4 - bliveBecome (Blive)
The auxiliary verb used to build the blive-passive.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice Choosing S-Passive Or Blive-Passive in Bubblegum
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