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Substitutes for the passive

In conversational German, the passive voice is not used as frequently as in English. Instead, a number of substitute structures can be used:

1) man as a non-specific subject of an active verb
2) a reflexive verb construction
3) sich lassen + infinitive of the main verb
4) sein + zu + infinitive of the main verb.

1) Man lernt Deutsch leicht.
2) Deutsch lernt sich leicht.
3) Deutsch lässt sich leicht lernen.
4) Deutsch ist leicht zu lernen.
German is easily learned.
German is easily learned.
German can be easily learned.
German can be easily learned.

 

 

© 1997 by Gary Smith