TOPIC · Verbs (Verben)

Konjunktiv II in the passive voice

B1B2

After this lesson, you will be able to correctly form and use the Konjunktiv II in the passive voice.

In this lesson, we will explore the Konjunktiv II in the passive voice in German. The Konjunktiv II is often used to express hypothetical situations or wishes, and it can also be applied in the passive form. Let’s examine the structures together.

1. Present in Passive

The formation of Konjunktiv II in the present passive involves using 'würden' and the past participle.
Structure: würden + past participle

Example	Translation
Der Lehrer würde das Buch lesen.	The teacher would read the book. (Hypothetical: The teacher reads the book.)
Das Buch würde von dem Lehrer gelesen.	The book would be read by the teacher. (Hypothetical: The book is read by the teacher.)

2. Past (Präteritum) in Passive

In the past, Konjunktiv II is formed with 'wären' and the past participle, followed by 'worden'.
Structure: wären + past participle + worden

Example	Translation
Man hätte den Film gesehen.	One would have seen the movie. (Hypothetical: One has seen the movie.)
Der Film wäre gesehen worden.	The movie would have been seen. (Hypothetical: The movie is seen.)

3. Future (Futur I) in Passive

For the future, we use 'würden' along with the past participle and 'werden'.
Structure: würden + past participle + werden

Example	Translation
Nächste Woche würde der Lehrer kommen.	Next week, the teacher would come. (Hypothetical: The teacher comes next week.)
Nächste Woche würde gekommen werden.	Next week it would be coming. (Hypothetical: Someone will come.)

4. Modal Verbs in Passive

a. Present

In the present tense with modal verbs, we use the Konjunktiv II of the modal verb followed by the past participle and 'werden'.
Structure: Modal verb in Konjunktiv II + past participle + werden

Example	Translation
Man könnte den Termin verschieben.	One could postpone the appointment. (Hypothetical: One postpones the appointment.)
Der Termin könnte verschoben werden.	The appointment could be postponed. (Hypothetical: The appointment is postponed.)

b. Past

Here we use 'hätten' followed by the past participle, 'werden', and the modal verb in its infinitive form.
Structure: hätten + past participle + werden + modal verb (infinitive)

Example	Translation
Man hätte das Problem lösen müssen.	One would have had to solve the problem. (Hypothetical: One has to solve the problem.)
Das Problem hätte gelöst werden müssen.	The problem would have had to be solved. (Hypothetical: The problem needs solving.)

Conclusion

We have now looked at the formulas and some examples of the Konjunktiv II in the passive voice across different tenses. Practice these structures to better understand and use them correctly.

Summary: After this lesson, you will be able to correctly form and use the Konjunktiv II in the passive voice.