In German, the 'werden' passive is used to describe a process, whereas the 'sein' passive is used to describe the state which the subject of the verb is in as a result of a previous action. It is important to choose the correct form of the passive to get your intended meaning across.
Activity 1: Explain the differences in meaning
Instruction
Explain the difference in meaning in the text box between each of the following pairs of sentences. Then open and read the feedback. Open the help section first if you would like some guidance on the rules.
If you would like a more detailed explanation of the 'werden' and 'sein' passives, view or download this short explanation:
the passive ( pdf, xxxKB) You may find it helpful to print the sheet out.
1. a) Das Haus ist gebaut.
b) Das Haus wird gebaut.
In sentence a), the use of the 'sein' passive tells us that the house is in a state of having been built - the action of the verb 'bauen' has been completed. We could translate this sentence as 'the house is built'.
In sentence b), the use of the 'werden' passive tells us that the action of verb is still taking place. We could translate this sentence as 'the house is being built'.
2. a) Die Stadt war von Truppen umringt.
b) Die Stadt wurde von Truppen umringt.
In sentence a), the use of the 'sein' passive tells us that, at the point in time referred to, the town was already in a state of siege as result of the action described by the verb umringen. This sentence could be translated as 'The town was surrounded by troops'.
In sentence b), the use of the 'werden' passive tells us that, at the point in time referred to, the town was still in the process of becoming surrounded. This sentence could be translated as 'The town was being surrounded by troops'.
3. a) Das Zimmer wurde geputzt.
b) Das Zimmer war geputzt.
In sentence a), the use of the 'werden' passive tells us that, at the point in time being referred to, the room was still in the process of being cleaned. We could translate this sentence as 'The room was being cleaned'.
In sentence b), the use of the 'sein' passive tells us that, at the point in time being referred to, the room was in a clean state due to the action of the verb putzen. We could translate this sentence as 'The room was clean' or 'The room had been cleaned'.
4. a) Das Fenster ist geoeffnet.
b) Das Fenster wird geoeffnet.
In sentence a), the use of the 'sein' passive tells us that the window was in a open state (i.e. it was open) due to the action of the verb oeffnen. We could translate this sentence as 'The window is open' or 'The window has been opened'.
In sentence b), the use of the 'werden' passive tells us that the action of the main verb is still in progress. We could translated this sentence as 'The window is being opened'.
5. a) Die Waelder werden abgebrannt.
b) Die Waelder sind abgebrannt.
In sentence a), the use of the 'werden' passive tells us that the action of the verb - the burning down of forests - is still in progress. We could translate this sentence as 'The forests are being burnt down'.
In sentence b), the use of the 'sein' passive tells us that the subject of the verb - the forests - are in burnt down state. We could translate this sentence as 'The forests are burnt down' or 'The forests have been burnt down'.
Activity 2: Complete the translations
Instruction
Fill in the gaps with the correct form of 'werden' or 'sein' to complete the translations of each sentence. Then open and read the feedback. Open the help section first if you would like some guidance on the rules.
If you would like a more detailed explanation of the 'sein' and 'werden' passives, please click here: the passive.
You may find it helpful to print this sheet out.
1. The books are covered in dust.
Die Buecher sind mit Staub bedeckt.
The 'sein' passive is used here because the sentence describes the state of the books (i.e. that of being covered in dust).
2. The table is being laid.
Der Tisch wird gedeckt.
The 'werden' passive is used here because the sentence describes a process affecting the subject of the verb.
3. The door is open.
Die Tuer ist geoeffnet.
The 'sein' passive is used here because the sentence describes the state of the door, i.e. that of being open.
4. The town was destroyed in 1941.
Die Stadt wurde 1941 zerstoert.
The 'werden' passive is used here because the action of the verb - that of destroying the town - took place (i.e. was in progress) at the point in time being referred to.
5. The car is repaired.
Das Auto ist repariert.
The 'sein' passive is used here because the sentence describes the state of the car - that of having been repaired. If we used the 'werden' passive, that would indicate that the car was in still in the process of being repaired.