Voices

Question 1

Explain how the passive voice is constructed

Answer 1

Passive constructions in English usually (but not always) use a form of to be; in German they always use a form of the verb werden.

Question 2

How does the present tense use the passive voice?

Answer 2

The present tense uses the present conjugation of werden plus participle.

Question 3

Translate “The apple is being washed”

Answer 3

der Apfel wird gewaschen

Question 4

How does the simple past tense tense use the passive voice?

Answer 4

The simple past tense uses the past conjugation of werden plus participle.

Question 5

Translate “The apple was washed” (simple past)

Answer 5

der Apfel wurde gewaschen

Question 6

How do the perfect tenses use the passive voice?

Answer 6

The Perfect tenses use sein with the participle and worden (a short form of werden’s participle geworden).

Question 7

Translate “The apple was washed” (perfect tense)

Answer 7

der Apfel ist gewaschen worden

Question 8

Translate “The apple had been washed” (pluperfect tense)

Answer 8

der Apfel war gewaschen worden

Question 9

How do the future tenses use the passive voice?

Answer 9

• The future tense uses werden in the present tense, then the participle and another werden in the infinitive.
• The future perfect adds sein.

Question 10

Translate “The apple will be washed” (future)

Answer 10

der Apfel wird gewaschen wurden

Question 11

Translate “The apple will have been washed” (future perfect)

Answer 11

der Apfel wird gewaschen wurden sein