Breakdown of Wo sollen diese Fliesen verlegt werden?
wo
where
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
sollen
should / ought to
werden
to be (passive auxiliary + past participle)
die Fliese
the tile
verlegen
to lay (flooring/tiles)
Questions & Answers about Wo sollen diese Fliesen verlegt werden?
How is the passive voice formed with a modal verb in this sentence?
The modal verb sollen is conjugated to match the plural subject (diese Fliesen) and sits in the second position. The actual passive structure gets pushed to the very end of the sentence. It consists of the past participle verlegt (laid) followed by the infinitive werden (to be).
Why is the word order verlegt werden at the end, and not werden verlegt?
When a modal verb like sollen takes the second position, the rest of the verb phrase goes to the end. In a passive sentence, this end chunk is always the past participle plus werden. So, verlegt comes first, and the infinitive werden finishes the sentence.
Why use verlegen for laying tiles instead of the regular verb legen?
While legen just means to put or lay something down, verlegen is the specific term used in construction and home improvement for installing materials that cover a surface. You use verlegen for tiles, carpets, wooden floors, and cables.
What exactly does sollen mean here? Is it 'should' or 'are supposed to'?
It translates well to both! In German, sollen is often used to ask for instructions or someone else's will. By asking Wo sollen..., the speaker is essentially asking 'Where am I supposed to lay them?' or 'Where do you want them laid?'
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