In German, there are many ways to express a passive sentence without directly using the passive form (Passiv).
These alternatives often make a sentence sound more natural in both speech and writing.

📌 "Können" is often used to express the ability to carry out an action.

1.1. Way 1: Using an active sentence (Man/Jemand)

Example:

Passiv: Das Problem kann gelöst werden.
(The problem can be solved.)

Aktiv mit "man": Man kann das Problem lösen.
(One can solve the problem.)

Aktiv mit "jemand": Jemand kann das Problem lösen.
(Someone can solve the problem.)

Note:

"Man" or "jemand" can replace the subject of the passive sentence.
This form is more common in speech than the standard passive sentence.

1.2. Way 2: Using the structure "sein + zu + Infinitiv"

Example:

Passiv: Das Problem kann gelöst werden.

Alternativ: Das Problem ist zu lösen.
(The problem can be solved.)

Note:

This form makes the sentence shorter and is often found in writing.
Only use it when the action has a general meaning and does not emphasize who performs it.

1.3. Way 3: Using the passive structure with "lassen + sich + Infinitiv"

Example:

Passiv: Das Problem kann gelöst werden.

Alternativ: Das Problem lässt sich lösen.
(The problem can be solved.)

Note:

This form expresses the ability to carry out an action easily.
"Sich lassen" is used to replace the passive sentence when an action can be performed.

1.4. Way 4: Using the passive structure with words ending in "-bar"

📌 Some verbs can add the suffix "-bar" to form an adjective with a passive meaning ("able to be done").

Example:

Verb	Noun	Adjective (-bar)	Example sentence
heilen (to cure)	die Heilung (the healing)	heilbar (curable)	Die Krankheit ist heilbar. (This illness is curable.)
verstehen (to understand)	das Verständnis (the understanding)	verständlich (understandable)	Der Text ist verständlich. (This text is understandable.)
vermeiden (to avoid)	die Vermeidung (the avoidance)	vermeidbar (avoidable)	Der Fehler ist vermeidbar. (This mistake is avoidable.)

Note:

This form is common in writing and is more formal.
It helps express the passive in a more natural and concise way.

These modal verbs express obligation, responsibility, or permission.
There are many ways to express a passive sentence without using "werden".

2.1. Way 1: Using an active sentence (man or jemand)

Example:

Passiv: Die Regeln müssen eingehalten werden.
(The rules must be followed.)

Aktiv mit "man": Man muss die Regeln einhalten.
(One must follow the rules.)

Aktiv mit "jemand": Jemand muss die Regeln einhalten.
(Someone must follow the rules.)

Note:

"Man" replaces the subject of the passive sentence in a more natural way.
This form is often used in speech.

2.2. Way 2: Using the structure "sein + zu + Infinitiv"

Example:

Passiv: Die Regeln müssen eingehalten werden.

Alternativ: Die Regeln sind einzuhalten.
(The rules need to be followed.)

Note:

This structure makes the sentence shorter and more formal.
Use it when there is no need to emphasize who performs the action.

🎯 3. Summary: Important notes

ℹ️ Note

💡

There are many ways to replace a passive sentence, making it sound more natural in speech and writing.
"Man" or "jemand" helps express the passive in a more active way.
The structure "sein + zu + Infinitiv" is often used in writing to replace the passive.
"Lassen + sich + Infinitiv" is used when an action can be performed easily.
The suffix "-bar" helps form an adjective with a passive meaning in a natural way.

ℹ️ Exercise

Practice exercise

Apply what you have just learned about the alternative structures for passive sentences:

📝 A2 exercises overview

Practice converting passive sentences into alternative structures.