Active and passive voice

CA61

In the German language, there are two voices, the active and the passive. The passive voice is more seldom used than the active.

Differences: active - passive

The active and the passive voice differ primarily in form. The passive voice is formed with the auxiliary verb werden and the past participle (Partizip II) of a full verb.

Examples	verb voice
Der Mechaniker repariert den Motor.	active
Der Motor wird repariert.	passive

The same events can be described with the use of both the active and the passive voice; however, the choice of one voice over the other changes the way these events, as well as their agent, are presented.

In the active voice, the "agent", which is the subject of the sentence, plays a key role.

Example	verb voice
Der Mechaniker repariert den Motor.	active

This also applies to sentences where the agent does not act.

Examples	verb voice
Opa schläft.	active
Sie liegt in der Sonne.
Er erhielt eine Einladung.

On the other hand, in passive voice sentences the "agent" is of little or no importance and is, therefore, usually omitted and not mentioned in the sentence.

Examples	verb voice	"agent"
Der Mechaniker repariert den Motor.	active	of central meaning
Der Motor wird vom Mechaniker repariert.	passive	of secondary importance
Der Motor wird repariert.	passive	not important / not mentioned in the sentence