Learn Dutch: De grote machine kon niet door één arbeider worden bediend. - The large machine could not be operated by one worker.

The sentence uses the simple past form of the modal verb kunnen (can), which is kon (could). To make it passive, we add the infinitive worden (to be) and the past participle bediend (operated). Together, kon ... worden bediend translates to "could ... be operated".

Why are the verbs worden and bediend placed at the very end of the sentence?

In a Dutch main clause, the conjugated verb (kon) takes the second position. Any additional verbs are pushed to the end of the sentence. In a passive construction with a modal verb, the infinitive (worden) and the past participle (bediend) group together at the end.

Why does the word één have accent marks?

The accents indicate that één is the number "one" rather than the indefinite article een ("a" or "an"). It emphasizes that the machine was too large to be operated by a single worker, rather than just "a" worker.

Why do we use door to mean "by" instead of the word bij?

While the Dutch word bij looks and sounds like the English "by", it usually means "at", "near", or "with". In passive sentences, you must always use door to introduce the "agent"—the person or thing that is actually performing the action.