German B2Chapter 7 of 29

Passive Voice in Present and Past

Understand official processes, application steps, and bureaucratic German with the passive voice.

Learn how German forms the passive voice in the present, Präteritum, and Perfekt, and use it to describe processes where the action is more important than the person doing it.

100 minLevel: B2

What this chapter covers

  • I can recognise Vorgangspassiv in official and formal German.
  • I can form passive sentences in the present, Präteritum, and Perfekt.
  • I can decide when the actor with von or durch is necessary and when it can be left out.
  • I can describe application, registration, and document-checking processes in natural B2 German.
  • I can write a clear formal process update using passive structures.

What you will practise in the app

The full chapter includes 1 interactive exercise covering these formats:

  • Guided writing task

Vocabulary: Official Processes Applications

A small sample from this chapter's vocabulary set.

der Antragapplication / formal request
die Unterlagedocument / supporting document
das Formularform
die Anmeldungregistration
die Bestätigungconfirmation

This is only a small sample. The full vocabulary set — with audio, example sentences, and grammar details — is available in the free app.

Why this matters in Germany

This chapter helps you build German you can use in everyday situations in Germany — from understanding simple sentences to handling basic conversations, messages, appointments, study, work, and daily life. Practical language learned in context is easier to remember and use when it matters.

Practise the full chapter for free

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