Passive with must and can

Understand the rule, see it in context, then put it into practice.

67 chapters · 64 common verbs
B1

Passive with must and can

With a modal verb, put Partizip II plus werden at the end. The modal agrees with the subject. In a subordinate clause the finite modal normally comes last.

Understand the idea

A modal can state what must, may or can happen to something without naming its actor. The finite modal agrees with the passive subject. The lexical verb appears as a participle, followed by the passive infinitive werden.

Build it step by step

In a main clause, place the finite modal in the usual position and put participle plus werden at the end. In a basic subordinate clause, the finite modal follows that passive combination. Keep the participle independent of the subject's person and number; agreement appears on the modal.

See it in a sentence

Die Rechnung muss heute bezahlt werden.

The bill must be paid today.

Das Fenster kann geöffnet werden.

The window can be opened.

A useful memory aid

Assemble the ending first: repaired + werden. Then add a modal meaning and conjugate that modal for the subject.

A common trap

Do not replace the participle by an ordinary infinitive. A passive modal construction needs the lexical participle as well as werden.

Sources & how to use this book

Original explanations, tips and learning examples by DeutschLearner, with grammar facts checked against the references below. The A1–B2 labels guide study; they do not certify a proficiency level. Reading a chapter does not mark a topic as mastered. Existing exercises provide the translated examples; no source exercise bank or example sentences were copied.