Learn Dutch: De uitnodigingen voor de reünie werden gisteren gestuurd. - The invitations for the reunion were sent yesterday.

In Dutch, the passive voice (describing an action done to the subject) is formed using the verb worden rather than zijn (to be). Since this sentence is in the past tense, it uses the past tense plural of worden, which is werden. If you used waren gestuurd, it would mean they had been sent (past perfect).

Why is the verb gestuurd at the very end of the sentence?

In Dutch main clauses, the conjugated verb (here, werden) takes the second position. Any other verbs in the sentence, such as the past participle gestuurd, are pushed to the very end.

What is the purpose of the two dots on the 'u' in reünie?

The two dots are called a trema. It tells you to pronounce the e and the u in reünie as two separate syllables (re-u-nie) rather than combining them into the common Dutch eu sound (like in leuk).

Could I say verzonden instead of gestuurd?

Yes, verzonden (the past participle of verzenden) means sent or dispatched and is a great alternative, especially for formal mail or packages. Gestuurd (from sturen) is slightly more common in everyday speech.