German Grammar A–Z
Look up German grammar topics A–Z, organized by category and level — with clear explanations and examples.
Active and Passive with Modal Verbs
Modal verbs (Modalverben) are a special type of verb in German. They add a meaning of mode or manner to the sentence. Conjugating modal verbs in the active voice (Aktiv) and in the passive voice (Passiv) differs and can confuse learners. In today's article we will distinguish how modal verbs are used in these two forms.
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Below is a table distinguishing Aktiv and Passiv in the most common tenses:
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Aktiv |
Passiv |
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Present tense (Präsens) |
In the active voice, the modal verb stands in the second position in the sentence, and the main verb moves to the end of the sentence in the unconjugated base form (Infinitive): Ich muss heute so viele Hausaufgaben machen. (Today I have to do a lot of homework.) |
In the passive voice, the modal verb is also placed in the second position in the sentence, as in the active voice. Werden is in the base form (Infinitive) and is placed at the end of the sentence. The Partizip II (PII) stands directly before werden. Die Blumen müssen gegossen werden. (The flowers have to be watered.) |
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Past tense (Präteritum) |
Same as in the present tense, but the modal verb is conjugated in the past tense Der Schüler musste die Aufgabe machen. (The students had to do the homework.) |
Same as in the present tense, but the modal verb is conjugated in the past tense Die Aufgabe musste gemacht werden. (The homework had to be done.) |
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Present perfect (Perfekt) |
The Modalverben are in the base form at the end of the sentence. Before the Modalverben is the main verb in the base form (Infinitive). The auxiliary haben is conjugated according to the subject in the present tense and stands in the second position in the sentence. Du hast die Aufgabe lösen können. (You were able to complete the task) |
The Modalverben are in the base form at the end of the sentence. But before the Modalverben comes the Partizip II (PII) + werden. The auxiliary haben is also conjugated according to the subject in the present tense and stands in the second position in the sentence. Die Aufgabe hat gelöst werden können. (The task may have been solved.) |
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Future tense (Futur I)
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The auxiliary verb werden is conjugated in the present tense according to the subject and stands in position 2 in the sentence. The Modalverben are in the base form at the end of the sentence. Before the Modalverben is the main verb in the Infinitive. Sie wird die Aufgabe lösen müssen. (She will have to solve the task.) |
The auxiliary verb werden is conjugated in the present tense according to the subject and stands in position 2 in the sentence. The Modalverben are in the base form at the end of the sentence. Before the Modalverben comes the Partizip II (PII) + werden. Die Aufgabe wird gelöst werden können. (The task will probably be solved.) |
