Breakdown of Die Checkliste und der Ablauf müssen heute geklärt sein.
sein
to be
und
and
heute
today
müssen
to have to, must
die Checkliste
the checklist
der Ablauf
the schedule (procedure, sequence of events)
klären
to clarify
Questions & Answers about Die Checkliste und der Ablauf müssen heute geklärt sein.
Why does this sentence use geklärt sein instead of geklärt werden?
geklärt sein is the state passive (Zustandspassiv). It focuses on the result: by the end of today, the checklist and schedule must exist in a finished, clarified state. If you used geklärt werden (process passive), it would mean the action of someone clarifying them has to happen today. The practical meaning is very similar, but the state passive strongly emphasizes the final result.
Why are geklärt and sein placed at the very end of the sentence?
This is due to the modal verb müssen. In a standard main clause, the conjugated modal verb takes the second position, which pushes the rest of the verb phrase to the very end. In the state passive, this end phrase consists of the past participle (geklärt) followed by the infinitive sein.
Does Ablauf always mean schedule?
Not exactly. Ablauf refers to a sequence of events, a procedure, or how a process will play out. If you mean a strict schedule with specific times, you would usually use Zeitplan. Here, they need to figure out how things are going to proceed, making Ablauf the perfect word.
What is the difference between klären and erklären? Could I use erklärt sein here?
klären means to resolve, sort out, or clarify a situation or plan. erklären means to explain something to someone. Because you want to finalize or sort out the schedule here, geklärt is the correct choice. If you used erklärt, it would mean the checklist simply needs to be explained to someone.
Learn Die Checkliste und der Ablauf müssen heute geklärt sein and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free