Modal + passive is how Germans talk about what needs to be done, what can be done, what's allowed, what's expected — without saying who. Read any sign, any instruction manual, any HR email, any recipe step: this construction is everywhere.
Modal + werden + Partizip II — at the very end, in that order. Then the modal moves to position 2 and carries the tense.
The structure, in slots
Main clause — modal at 2, "Partizip II + werden" at the end
Pos.
Das Auto 1
muss 2 — modal
heute noch middle
repariert werden. end
"The car has to be repaired today." Partizip II comes first, then the infinitive werden — together at the end.
Subordinate clause — everything piles up at the end
Sub.
…dass subord.
das Auto heute noch subject + middle
repariert werden P2 + werden
muss. end — modal
"…that the car has to be repaired today." Three verbs at the end: Partizip II, infinitive werden, then the modal last.
The six modals × passive, side by side
| Modal | German | What it means |
|---|
| müssen |
Das muss sofort erledigt werden.That has to be taken care of right away. |
Necessity. Common in instructions, deadlines, rules. |
| können |
Die Formulare können online ausgefüllt werden.The forms can be filled out online. |
Possibility. What is offered, available, doable. |
| dürfen |
Hier darf nicht geparkt werden.Parking is not allowed here. |
Permission — especially in negatives, on signs. |
| sollen |
Die Räume sollen bis Freitag gestrichen werden.The rooms are to be painted by Friday. |
Externally imposed plan/order. Schedule speak. |
| möchten / wollen |
Die Lehrer wollen nicht gestört werden.The teachers don't want to be disturbed. |
Wish / will from the patient's perspective. |
And — predictably — in Konjunktiv II
Combine §03 and §06 and you get the most polite, formal-feeling B2 register there is. This is exactly the kind of sentence that fills letters of complaint, business proposals, and academic writing.
complaint letter
Das müsste dringend überprüft werden.That would urgently need to be checked.
proposal
Das Problem könnte auf zwei Arten gelöst werden.The problem could be solved in two ways.
advice
Die Frage sollte in der nächsten Sitzung besprochen werden.The question should be discussed at the next meeting.
hedged
Eine endgültige Antwort dürfte erst nächste Woche gegeben werden.A definitive answer is likely only to be given next week.
Everyday examples — the construction at full speed
at work
Diese Mails müssen bis Mittag beantwortet werden.These emails have to be answered by noon.
at home
Die Wäsche muss noch aufgehängt werden.The laundry still needs to be hung up.
on a sign
Im Restaurant darf nicht geraucht werden.Smoking is not allowed in the restaurant.
recipe
Der Teig muss mindestens eine Stunde ruhen gelassen werden.The dough must be left to rest for at least an hour.
tech support
Das Passwort kann jederzeit geändert werden.The password can be changed at any time.
school
Die Hausaufgaben sollen bis Montag abgegeben werden.The homework is to be turned in by Monday.
construction site
Auf der Baustelle muss immer ein Helm getragen werden.A helmet must always be worn on the construction site.
subord.
Ich glaube, dass das Dach noch dieses Jahr repariert werden muss.I think the roof has to be repaired this year. (Watch the verb pile-up at the end.)
subord.
Es ist schade, dass das nicht vermieden werden konnte.It's a shame that couldn't be avoided.
Memorize the shape
…[Modal at pos. 2]… [Partizip II] werden.
The order at the end is always past participle first, then the infinitive werden. Never the other way around.