Das Passiv

Wie das Passiv mit to be + Partizip Perfekt gebildet wird und wann man es dem Aktiv vorziehen sollte.

Aktiv vs. Passiv

Diathese	Fokus auf	Beispiel
Aktiv	den Handelnden (Subjekt führt Handlung aus)	The dog ate the cake.
Passiv	den Empfänger (Handlung wird am Subjekt vorgenommen)	The cake was eaten (by the dog).

Bildung

$\text{Subjekt} + \text{be (richtiges Tempus)} + \text{Partizip Perfekt} \,[\text{+ by + Agens (optional)}]$

Passiv in verschiedenen Tempora

Tempus	Aktiv	Passiv
Present Simple	They make cars here.	Cars are made here.
Past Simple	She wrote the report.	The report was written by her.
Present Perfect	They have sent the letter.	The letter has been sent.
Future (will)	He will fix the bike.	The bike will be fixed.
Modal (can)	You can open the window.	The window can be opened.

Wann wird das Passiv verwendet?

Der Handelnde ist unbekannt: My wallet was stolen.
Der Handelnde ist offensichtlich oder unwichtig: The road is being repaired.
Formelles Schreiben, wo das Subjekt weniger persönlich ist: It was decided that…
Um den Fokus auf den Empfänger zu lenken: Three goals were scored in the last five minutes.

Verwendung von „by"

„by + Agens" nur einschließen, wenn der Handelnde wichtig oder überraschend ist:
The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.

Wenn der Agens unwichtig ist, weglassen:
The window was broken. (wen es zerbrochen hat, ist uns egal)

Praxisbezug: Produktetikett / Verpackung

"This product was manufactured in Germany. All ingredients are sourced from certified suppliers. The bottle can be recycled after use."

Praxisbezug: Nachrichtenbericht

"Three people were injured in a road accident on the M25 last night. The motorway was closed for two hours while emergency vehicles were dispatched. No arrests have been made."

Praxisbezug: Museumsunterschrift

"This painting was created in 1503 and is believed to depict Lisa Gherardini. It was acquired by the French royal family in the 16th century and has been kept in the Louvre since 1797."

Tipp Das Passiv ist häufig in formellen und unpersönlichen Kontexten: auf Produktetiketten ("Made in France"), in Nachrichtenberichten ("A man was arrested"), in wissenschaftlichen Texten ("The results were analysed") und auf Hinweisschildern ("CCTV cameras are in operation").

Übungsaufgaben

Forme das Passiv: Scientists discovered a new planet.

Antwort anzeigen

A new planet was discovered (by scientists).

Forme das Passiv: They are building a new school.

Antwort anzeigen

A new school is being built.

Forme das Passiv: Someone has stolen my bike.

Antwort anzeigen

My bike has been stolen.