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Das Dokument kann auf dem Computer gespeichert werden.

Das Dokument kann auf dem Computer gespeichert werden.
The document can be saved on the computer.
FromLesson 21inHardcore German
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Questions & Answers about Das Dokument kann auf dem Computer gespeichert werden.

Why is kann used in this sentence?
kann is the third-person singular form of the modal verb können (“to be able to / can”). It expresses that the action of saving the document is possible. In German main clauses the finite verb (here kann) must appear in the second position.
Why is the sentence in the passive voice (gespeichert werden) instead of active?

German (like English) often uses the passive when the emphasis is on the action or result rather than on who performs it. Here we care about the fact that the document can be saved, not who saves it. The passive is built with:

  • the past participle gespeichert
  • plus the auxiliary werden
How do you form the passive voice with a modal verb in German?

The structure is:

  1. Conjugate the modal verb in second position (here kann).
  2. Place all other elements (object, prepositional phrases, etc.).
  3. Put Partizip II (“gespeichert”) immediately before the infinitive werden at the end.

Example order:
Das Dokument – kann – auf dem Computer – gespeichert – werden.

Why is werden at the end of the sentence and not conjugated like wird?
When you use a modal verb in German, only the modal is conjugated. The passive auxiliary werden stays in its infinitive form and moves to the very end. Without a modal verb, you would conjugate werden in second position (Das Dokument wird gespeichert).
Why is auf dem Computer used, and why is dem in the dative case?
  • auf is a two-way (Wechsel-) preposition. When indicating location (no movement), it governs the dative case.
  • Computer is masculine (der Computer), so in dative it becomes dem Computer.
    Thus auf dem Computer means “on the computer” (i.e. located on its storage).
Can we omit the article and say Das Dokument kann auf Computer gespeichert werden?
No. In German you almost always need a definite article with singular, countable nouns. Omitting dem would be ungrammatical. You need auf dem Computer.
What’s the difference between dynamic passive (Vorgangspassiv) and static passive (Zustandspassiv), and which one is used here?

• Vorgangspassiv (dynamic): focuses on the process or action; formed with werden + Partizip II.
• Zustandspassiv (stative): focuses on the resulting state; formed with sein + Partizip II.
Here we use werden, so it’s the Vorgangspassiv—the document can be saved (action).

Is there another way to express this idea without using the passive voice?

Yes. You can use the reflexive lassen construction:
Das Dokument lässt sich auf dem Computer speichern.
This conveys the same meaning (“The document can be saved on the computer”) with an active-looking structure.

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