What are the different kinds of passive sentences in German?

There are two forms of passive sentences in the German language: the Zustandspassiv, passively describing a fixed condition, and the Vorgangspassiv, passively describing an ongoing process.

The Zustandpassiv is formed by a Personalform of sein and the respective Partizip II. The use of the Zustandspassiv however is usually only sensible within the Präsens and the Präteritum, since the formation of a Zustandspassiv-sentence in all other tenses can be very elaborate.
Examples:
Das Tor ist geschlossen.
Er war angekommen.

The Vorgangspassiv is formed by a Personalform of werden or sein and the respective Partizip II.
Examples:
Präsens - Der Ball wird geworfen.
Präteritum - Der Hund wurde gestreichelt.
Futur I - Das Buch wird gelesen werden.
Futur II - Der Schrank wird gekauft worden sein.
Perfekt - Sie ist bestraft worden.
Plusquamperfekt - Der Mantel war angezogen worden.

EP
Answered by Erik P. German tutor

3271 Views

See similar German GCSE tutors

Related German GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Ich wohne mit meinen zwei Kindern in einem Doppelhaus. Mein Sohn geht ins Gymnasium, wo er gute Noten bekommt. Meine Tochter hat Fremdsprachen an der Universität studiert, weil sie im Ausland arbeiten möchte. Translate into English.


What are reflexive verbs?


How does the position of the verb change in subordinate clauses compared to substantive clauses?


You're writing an entry for a German blog about your school, respectively, your school life. Give a general description of your school. Write which subjects you like and which not. Write what you did in school yesterday/tomorrow.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning