Passiv in allen Zeiten
Passiv Perfekt — for English Speakers
Introduction
At B2, you extend the passive beyond present tense. German passive Perfekt uses 'ist + Partizip II + worden': 'Das Buch ist gelesen worden' (The book has been read). The Präteritum passive uses 'wurde + Partizip II'. English handles tense shifts in passive similarly (was done, has been done), so the concept is familiar. The challenge is the word 'worden' — a special short form of 'geworden' used only in passive.
German vs English
In German
Das Buch ist gelesen worden. (has been read)
In English
The book has been read.
Key Difference
Both use a perfect passive — German adds 'worden' at the end where English uses 'been'.
In German
Die Tür wurde geöffnet. (was opened)
In English
The door was opened.
Key Difference
Wurde = was (passive past). Nearly identical logic and structure.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Das Buch ist gelesen geworden.
Using 'geworden' instead of 'worden' — passive Perfekt requires the shortened form 'worden'.
Das Buch hat gelesen worden.
Using 'hat' instead of 'ist' — passive Perfekt always uses 'ist', never 'hat'.
Practice Examples
Der Brief ist gestern geschickt worden.
The letter was sent yesterday.
Die Arbeit wurde letzte Woche abgeschlossen.
The work was completed last week.
Das Problem ist noch nicht gelöst worden.
The problem has not been solved yet.
Memory Tip
Passive Perfekt = ist + Partizip II + WORDEN (not geworden!) — worden is the passport stamp of passive.
View Grammar Rule
Passiv in allen Zeiten
Passiv Perfekt — B2
Practice Exercises
Passiv in allen Zeiten Übungen
8 exercises
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