What's good to know
The (Vorgangs)Passiv always consists of two elements:
- a form of "werden" (Which has no translation in this context!) &
- a past participle
That is also the case when we put any passive sentence into the Konjunktiv II (KII).
Take a look at the following three sentences. The first one is a standard passive sentence in present tense, the second one is the same sentence in Präteritum past and number three is the same sentence in KII. Can you already figure out how to build the KII of any sentence in the passive?
A: Ich werde oft gefragt. - I'm often being asked. (PRÄSENS)
B: Ich wurde oft gefragt. - I was often asked. (PRÄTERITUM)
C: Ich würde oft gefragt. - I would be often asked. (KII PRÄSENS)
"würde" is very often used with "gern". So, how would you then translate the following sentence? You'll find the answer further down this page but before the comments.
D: Ich würde gern gefragt. - ???
You hopefully notice that the "gern" makes a massive difference in meaning. Therefore please be aware of the "gern" or of passive sentences in KII without it.
To create the KII version of any passive sentence you simply need to use the proper form of "würde-" instead of "werde-". No magic. Try to build KII versions of the following three sentences. No need to use "oft" or "gern" here. The answers are again further down:
E: Ich werde angerufen.
F: Er wird geschlagen.
G: Wir werden beobachtet.
That was hopefully easy for you. Ready for a real challenge? The let me provide you with sentences in their active forms so that you first have to build their passive form and then put them into KII. A little reminder: in the passive sentences you can drop the "man" and turn the direct object (e.g. in H that's "dich") into the subject. All three verbs are regular. Now try your luck:
H: Man befördert dich. - They promote you.
I: Man beraubt sie. - They rob her.
J: Man lobt uns. - They praise us.
That's all for now. Practice this topic in the upcoming Preaching lecture until you feel you got a hold of it.
ANSWERS TO THE EXERCISES
D: Ich würde gern gefragt. translates as: I would like to be asked.
E: Ich würde angerufen. - I would be called (on the phone)
F: Er würde geschlagen. - He would be beaten (also in games)
G: Wir würden beobachtet. We would be observed.
H: Man befördert dich. - Du wurdest befördert. - Du würdest befördert.
I: Man beraubt sie. - Sie wurde beraubt. - Sie würde beraubt.
J: Man lobt uns. - Wir wurden gelobt. - Wir würden gelobt.
This topic is covered in: B2-L30