Day 78 - Passive Voice Part 2

Question 1

Today’s lesson covers the Statal or False Passive. This is used to show the resultant state of a past action.

There are two constructions in both English and German, one that focuses on the END RESULT, and one that focuses on the CHANGE ITSELF.

To focus on the end result, replace the auxiliary werden with SEIN.

Since this grammar shows a result, it can not take the translation being, because the action is already completed.

Study the following examples:

The doughnut is eaten.
Der Donut ist gegessen.

The doughnut was eaten.
Der Doughnut war gegessen.

The coffee is made.
Der Kaffee ist gemacht.

The coffee was made.
Der Kaffee war gemacht.

The far more common grammar is to focus on the CHANGE ITSELF.
English uses the construction (to have) + been + (past participle).
German uses (SEIN) + (PAST PARTICIPLE ) + WORDEN.

WORDEN is the participle of WERDEN without the GE- prefix.

Study the following examples:

The doughnut has been eaten.
Der Donut ist gegessen worden.
The doughnut had been eaten.
Der Donut war gegessen worden.

The coffee has been made.
Der Kaffee ist gemacht worden.
The coffee had been made.
Der Kaffee war gemacht worden.

Though worden is the translation of been, IT IS ONLY USED IN PASSIVE SENTENCES THAT SHOW A CHANGE IN STATE.

Be careful not to use it in translations of English continuous tense sentences. Remember that German sentences have multiple tense translations in English.

Study the following example:

I have been going.
(correct) Ich bin gegangen.
(incorrect) Ich bin worden gehen.

Be careful with translations of modal verbs as well. Modal verbs using have been in English have a completely different meaning. For example, the phrase could have been has nothing to do with ability, but rather SPECULATION, and will use Konjunktiv II.

The doughnut could have been eaten.
(correct) Der Donut hätte gegessen werden können.

Question 2

Day 78 Grammar Card

1. Statal passive (end result focus) (sein) + (past participle)
2. Statal passive (change focus) (sein) + (past participle) + worden

Question 3

1. KLÄREN…to resolve / settle
   *Klären literally means to clear. English can use this translation as well: I cleared my debt. The issue was cleared. Another meaning is, to check with someone to see if something is okay, as in: I cleared it with the boss.
2. VERBESSERN…to improve
3. BESCHREIBEN…to describe beschreiben |beschrieb, beschrieben|
4. VERHINDERN…to prevent / hinder
5. ÜBERNEHMEN…to take over übernehmen (übernimmt) |übernahm, übernommen|
   *Übernehmen means to take over, but can also be translated as to adopt, as in a policy or a plan.
6. BETONEN…to emphasize / point out
7. ERWARTEN…to expect
8. VEREINEN…to combine / unite
9. VERTRETEN…to represent vertreten (vertritt) |vertrat, vertreten|
10. UNTERSTÜTZEN…to support / assist

Question 4

1. The problem has been settled.

Answer 4

Das Problem ist geklärt worden.

klären…to resolve, to settle

Question 5

2. It has been improved every day.

Answer 5

Es ist jeden Tag verbessert worden.

verbessern…to improve

Question 6

3. It had been described to her.

Answer 6

Es war ihr beschrieben worden.

Question 7

4. The attack has been prevented.

Answer 7

Der Angriff ist verhindert worden.

verhindern…to prevent, to hinder

Question 8

5. The country had been taken over.

Answer 8

Das Land war übernommen worden.

übernehmen…to take over, to adopt a plan

Question 9

6. The point has been emphasized.

Answer 9

Der Punkt ist betont worden.

betonen…emphasize, point out

Question 10

7. The result had been expected.

Answer 10

Das Ergebnis war erwartet worden.

erwarten…to expect

Question 11

8. The people have been united.

Answer 11

Die Menschen sind vereint worden.

vereinen…combine, unite

Question 12

9. The countries have been represented.

Answer 12

Die Länder sind vertreten worden.

vertreten…to represent

Question 13

10. The idea had been supported.

Answer 13

Die Idee war unterstützt worden.

unterstützen…to support, to assist