Passive With Modal Verbs
The passive with modal verbs allows you to express that something must, can, or should be done. It shifts the focus from 'who' is doing the action to the action itself and its necessity or possibility.
How It Works
This construction combines the modal verb construction with the process passive.
1. Meaning:
It expresses modality (like obligation with müssen or permission with dürfen) applied to a passive action. For example, 'The car must be repaired' (Das Auto muss repariert werden) focuses on the car and the necessity of the repair.
2. Word Order:
- In a main sentence, the conjugated modal verb takes the second position, while the passive infinitive (Partizip II + werden) goes to the end.
- In a subordinate clause, the conjugated modal verb moves to the absolute end.
- Special Rule: In complex tenses using the Ersatzinfinitiv, the auxiliary verb haben precedes the cluster: ...dass es hat gemacht werden müssen.
3. Process vs. State Passive:
While most learners focus on the process passive (muss repariert werden), you can also use the state passive with modals to describe a required state: Das Fenster muss geschlossen sein (The window must be closed).
4. Passive Alternatives:
To become proficient in German, you should recognize alternatives that express possibility or necessity without using a full passive:
- Possibility: Instead of können + passive, you can use sich lassen + Infinitiv (e.g., Das Problem lässt sich lösen) or adjectives ending in -bar or -lich (e.g., lösbar).
- Necessity/Possibility: The construction sein + zu + Infinitiv can replace müssen, sollen, or können (e.g., Das ist zu tun). Note that this rarely replaces dürfen, except in negative contexts to express a prohibition.
5. Impersonal Passive:
It can be used with intransitive verbs to create an impersonal passive. The placeholder es is only used if the first position is empty: Es muss gearbeitet werden vs. Hier muss gearbeitet werden.
Examples (6)
- Die Hausaufgaben müssen bis morgen gemacht werden.
The homework must be done by tomorrow.
Word by Word: The homework must until tomorrow done be.
Uses 'müssen' to show necessity. Note that 'werden' stays in the infinitive at the end.
- Der Fehler konnte schnell behoben werden.
The error could be fixed quickly.
Word by Word: The error could quickly fixed be.
This example uses the Präteritum (past tense) of 'können' to describe a past possibility/ability.
- Hier darf nicht geraucht werden.
Smoking is not allowed here.
Word by Word: Here may not smoked be.
An impersonal passive using 'dürfen'. Note that the placeholder 'es' is omitted because 'hier' occupies the first position.
- Ich glaube, dass das Problem gelöst werden muss.
I believe that the problem must be solved.
Word by Word: I believe, that the problem solved be must.
In a subordinate clause in the present tense, the conjugated modal verb 'muss' moves to the very end.
- Die Unterlagen sollen unterschrieben werden.
The documents are supposed to be signed.
Word by Word: The documents should signed be.
'Sollen' indicates an external request or expectation that the documents be signed.
- Es wird gesagt, dass das Projekt hat beendet werden müssen.
It is said that the project had to be finished.
Word by Word: It is said, that the project has finished be must.
In complex tenses with an Ersatzinfinitiv, the auxiliary 'hat' precedes the block of three infinitives at the end.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting the auxiliary verb 'werden'.
Das Auto muss repariert.Das Auto muss repariert werden.Without 'werden', the sentence is incomplete. You need 'werden' to form the passive voice.
Incorrect word order in the sentence bracket.
Das muss werden heute gemacht.Das muss heute gemacht werden.The passive infinitive (Partizip II + werden) normally goes at the very end of the main clause.
Confusing the process passive (werden) with the state passive (sein).
Die Tür muss geschlossen sein (when meaning the action of closing).Die Tür muss geschlossen werden.Use 'werden' for the action/process. Use 'sein' only if you are describing the required state (e.g., 'The door must be [in the state of being] closed').
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the passive with modal verbs, you first need to understand how the basic German passive is formed using 'werden' and a past participle. Additionally, you must be familiar with how modal verbs function in a sentence, specifically their ability to push an infinitive (in this case, the passive infinitive 'gelöst werden') to the very end of the clause.
- Process Passive (werden)
The passive with modal verbs is built upon the basic process passive structure (werden + past participle).
Level 3 - Modal Verb Construction
Understanding how modal verbs interact with other verbs in the infinitive form at the end of a sentence is essential for the word order of this pattern.
Level 1 - müssenModal Verb Müssen
A core modal verb like 'müssen' is necessary to understand the semantic and grammatical function of modals within the passive construction.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Passive Of Intransitive Verbs
A specific type of passive often used with modals to express general rules or requirements.
Level 4 - Verb-Final In Subordinate Clauses
Explains why the modal verb moves to the end in 'dass' or 'weil' clauses.
Level 2 - sich lassen + InfinitivePassive-Like Construction (Sich Lassen)
A common alternative to the passive with 'können' to express possibility.
Level 4 - State Passive (sein)
The 'state passive' which can also be combined with modals to describe a required or possible state.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Passive With Modal Verbs in Bubblegum
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