Distinguishing the Zustandspassiv from other forms

CA71

 

The form of the Zustandspassiv is identical to other structures. We can distinguish the sein-passive from these structures by performing some tests.

 

During these tests we convert the Zustandspassiv, which expresses the result of an action, into the active voice i.e. we attempt, starting from the result of the action to state the action itself (the action has an agent and is expressed in the active voice).

 

The subject of the passive voice sentence becomes the accusative object of the active voice sentence.

 

Examples
conversion test
 
Der Motor ist repariert.
Zustandspassiv
 
active
Man repariert den Motor.
Der Laden ist geöffnet. Man öffnet den Laden.

 

 

 

This conversion is not possible in the following structures:

 

 

Present perfect active with sein

 

Examples
conversion test
 
Ich bin zurückgekommen.
present perfect active with sein
 
active
Man kommt mich zurück.
  FALSE

 


 

 

Adjectives as predicative expressions (past participles used as adjectives)

 

Example
conversion test
 
Er ist begabt.
adjective as predicative expression
 
active
Man begabt ihn.
  FALSE

 


 

 

Zustandsreflexiv

 

Example
conversion test
 
Er ist verliebt.
Zustandsreflexiv
 
active
Man verliebt ihn.
  FALSE