Modal With A Passive

Level 3

Use a modal verb (like kan, skal, or bør) + a verb ending in -s to say something 'must be done' or 'can be seen' without naming who does it.

How It Works

In Danish, when you want to express that something is possible, necessary, or recommended, you often use a modal verb combined with the s-passive form of the main verb.

1. Formation:
Simply take the infinitive of the verb and add -s. Unlike the present tense s-passive, you do not need to worry about dropping the '-r'.

  • at gøre (to do) → gøres
  • at sende (to send) → sendes
  • at se (to see) → ses
  • at købe (to buy) → købes

2. Usage and Nuance:
This pattern is the standard choice for transitive verbs (verbs that take an object), but it is also used with intransitive verbs in impersonal der-constructions (e.g., Der skal arbejdes nu). It is extremely common for:

  • Instructions: Pakken skal sendes nu. (The package must be sent now.)
  • Rules: Hunde må ikke medtages. (Dogs may not be brought along.)
  • General Truths: Det kan gøres bedre. (It can be done better.)

3. Tense and Register:
The modal verb can also be used in the past tense while the main verb remains in the s-passive infinitive (e.g., Det skulle gøres. - It had to be done). While the s-passive on its own can sometimes feel formal, the modal + s-passive is perfectly natural in everyday conversation. It sounds much more native than trying to use the blive-passive for general rules or instructions.

Examples (5)

  1. Det kan gøres på ti minutter.

    It can be done in ten minutes.

    Word by Word: It can do-s on ten minutes.

    Uses 'kan' to show a general possibility.

  2. Ansøgningen skal sendes senest fredag.

    The application must be sent by Friday at the latest.

    Word by Word: Application-the shall send-s latest Friday.

    Uses 'skal' to express a requirement or instruction.

  3. Det bør nævnes i rapporten.

    It should be mentioned in the report.

    Word by Word: It ought mention-s in report-the.

    Uses 'bør' to give a recommendation.

  4. Døren må ikke åbnes.

    The door must not be opened.

    Word by Word: Door-the may not open-s.

    Uses 'må ikke' to express a prohibition or rule.

  5. Hvor kan det købes?

    Where can it be bought?

    Word by Word: Where can it buy-s?

    A common question using the modal passive to ask about availability.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding 'at' between the modal and the passive verb.

    Det kan at gøres.
    Det kan gøres.

    Modal verbs in Danish always take the bare infinitive. You should never use 'at' after kan, skal, må, vil, or bør.

  • Overusing the 'blive' passive for general instructions.

    Different MeaningDet skal blive gjort.
    Det skal gøres.

    While 'blive gjort' is grammatically possible, it is usually reserved for specific promises or concrete future events. For general instructions, the s-passive is much more natural.

How It Connects

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Modal With A PassiveLevel 3

Learn This First

To understand how to use modals with a passive meaning, you first need to know how modal verbs function with standard infinitives and how the Danish s-passive is formed, as this pattern simply replaces the active infinitive with a passive one.

Learn Next

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