Breakdown of Die Checkliste muss vollständig erledigt sein.
sein
to be
müssen
to have to, must
erledigen
to get done
die Checkliste
the checklist
vollständig
completely (entirely, with nothing missing)
Questions & Answers about Die Checkliste muss vollständig erledigt sein.
Why do we use sein at the end here instead of werden, which we usually use for the passive voice?
This sentence uses the state passive, which describes a finished state rather than an ongoing action. If it were werden, it would mean the checklist must be completed right now by someone (an action). With sein, it means we are focusing on the resulting state: by whatever deadline we are talking about, the checklist must already be in a state of being completely done.
What is the exact difference between erledigt and other words for 'done' like gemacht?
Erledigt comes from erledigen, which specifically means 'to take care of,' 'to resolve,' or 'to complete a task.' While gemacht just means 'made' or 'done' in a general sense, erledigt is the perfect, more professional word for crossing items off a to-do list, dealing with paperwork, or finishing chores.
In the phrase erledigt sein, why does the past participle (erledigt) come before the infinitive (sein)?
When a modal verb like muss pushes a verb phrase to the end of a main clause, the parts of that phrase stack up in reverse order compared to English. English says 'be done', but German puts the infinitive that connects directly to the modal verb (sein) at the very end. So it becomes 'done be' (erledigt sein).
Could I just use komplett instead of vollständig here?
Yes, you could absolutely say komplett erledigt sein. Vollständig is a great B2-level alternative that literally translates closer to 'wholly' or 'entirely.' It breaks down into voll (full) and ständig (standing/constant), and is very common in formal or professional contexts like this one.
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