Deutsch · B2 · grammar · 4 minutes
Alternatives to the passive
Use man, sich lassen, sein + zu, or an adjective in -bar when agentless meaning matters.
Understand the choice
Formal German avoids repetitive werden-passives by selecting a construction that adds meaning. Lässt sich highlights feasibility, ist zu prüfen necessity, and man an unspecified human actor.
Core rule: Sich lassen + infinitive and sein + zu + infinitive express possibility/necessity; man keeps an unspecified actor; -bar adjectives often express feasibility.
Notice it in context
Das Problem lässt sich ohne zusätzliche Kosten lösen.
The problem can be solved without additional costs.
Lässt sich…lösen frames feasibility; Problem remains subject; Kosten sit in the middle.
Der Antrag ist bis Freitag einzureichen.
The application must be submitted by Friday.
Sein + zu marks an official necessity.
Diese Datei ist nicht lesbar, deshalb muss man sie ersetzen.
This file is unreadable, so it has to be replaced.
Lesbar states ability; man supplies an unspecified actor.
What to remember
- Nicht every verb forms a natural -bar adjective; lexical usage must be checked.
- Sich lassen is normally a possibility reading, often equivalent to kann…werden.
Common trap: Do not assume sein + zu always means can; context can express necessity or possibility.