Das Paket kann heute gesendet werden.

The package can be sent today.

Breakdown of Das Paket kann heute gesendet werden.

• heute: today
• können: can
• das Paket: the package
• gesendet werden: to be sent

Questions & Answers about Das Paket kann heute gesendet werden.

Why is the passive voice used here instead of an active construction?

Using the passive focuses on the package (the thing being sent) rather than on who sends it. In German (as in English), you choose passive when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or you want to highlight the action or the object affected.

How do you form the passive voice with a modal verb in German?

You combine:

1. A modal verb in second position (here kann)
2. The past participle of the main verb (here gesendet)
3. The infinitive werden at the end.
   Structure:
   Subject (nominative) + modal + time/place adverb + past participle + werden

Why is werden at the very end of the sentence?

In main clauses with a modal, all non-finite verbs (participles, infinitives) move to the end. The order there is: past participle first (gesendet), then the infinitive auxiliary (werden).

Why is das Paket in the nominative case?

In the passive, the former direct object (accusative) becomes the grammatical subject and thus takes the nominative.

Can we move heute (today) to another position?

Yes. Temporal adverbs are fairly mobile. All of these are correct, though emphasis shifts slightly:

• Heute kann das Paket gesendet werden.
• Das Paket kann heute gesendet werden.
• Das Paket kann gesendet werden heute (least common).

What’s the difference between gesendet and geschickt?

Both mean “sent,” but:
• senden (past participle gesendet) is more formal/technical (mail systems, broadcasting).
• schicken (past participle geschickt) is more colloquial (“to send” in everyday speech).

Why isn’t the sender (agent) mentioned in the sentence?

In passive constructions, the agent is optional. If it’s irrelevant or unknown, you omit it. To include it, use von + dative:
Das Paket kann heute von der Firma gesendet werden.

What tense is this sentence, and what does it express?

It’s present‑tense passive with a modal. It expresses that it’s possible to send the package today.