The impersonal passive
In German, the passive voice describes an action without mentioning who is doing it. When a verb doesn't have a direct object to turn into a subject, you use the impersonal passive (unpersönliches Passiv).
This structure is perfect for emphasizing that a general activity is happening, making it very common for strict rules and official procedures.
Starting with es
To form the impersonal passive, use the helping verb werden conjugated in the third-person singular (wird) and put the past participle of the main verb at the end of the clause.
Because German sentences usually need something in the first position, start with the placeholder es (it).
| Checks are precise so that nobody smuggles anything. | Es wird genau kontrolliert, damit niemand etwas schmuggelt. |
| They demand that the fine be paid immediately. | Es wird verlangt, die Strafe sofort zu bezahlen. |
Dropping es
If you start the sentence with any other element—such as a location or time—the placeholder es disappears. The verb wird simply stays in the second position.
| There are strict checks at customs. | Am Zoll wird streng kontrolliert. |
| There is often a long wait at entry. | Bei der Einreise wird oft lange gewartet. |
Official rules and prohibitions
This subjectless structure is extremely common at border checkpoints or during inspections to firmly state how things are done, or to declare what is forbidden.
| There is no talking during the inspection. | Während der Kontrolle wird nicht gesprochen. |
| There is no arguing with the officer here! | Hier wird nicht mit dem Beamten diskutiert! |
