Passive with durch for Means

This grammar point acts as a bridge. It connects the action to the instrument used. Usually, the passive voice hides the person doing the work. However, we often still want to know the cause. If a window is broken, was it the wind or a ball? If a goal is reached, was it hard work or luck? durch handles these non-human causes. It focuses on the intermediary. Think of durch like a delivery person. The delivery person is the means to get the pizza. You are the one who ordered it. But the pizza reached you durch the delivery service. It is about the channel of action. In B2 German, this is vital. It allows you to move away from simple 'who did what' sentences. You start describing complex systems and logical results.

1. 1Creating this structure is a step-by-step process. You need to combine the passive rules with the right preposition. Follow these steps:
2. 2Identify your subject. This is the thing being acted upon.
3. 3Conjugate the verb werden. Put it in the correct tense and person.
4. 4Add the preposition durch. This always triggers the accusative case.
5. 5Place the means or instrument after durch. Remember to decline the article correctly.
6. 6Finish the sentence with the Partizip II (past participle) at the very end.
7. 7Here is a quick template: [Subject] + [werden] + durch + [Accusative Means] + [Partizip II].
8. 8For example: Die Datei + wird + durch + einen Klick + geöffnet. (The file is opened by a click). It is like building a Lego set. Every piece has its specific spot. If you move the past participle, the whole thing falls apart. Keep that verb at the end!

You should reach for durch in specific scenarios. First, use it for technical means. If you send an email, it goes durch das Internet. Second, use it for abstract causes. Success is often achieved durch Fleiß (through diligence). Third, use it for intermediaries. If you buy a house through an agent, use durch. It highlights the method. Imagine you are in a job interview. You want to explain how you solved a problem. You might say, 'The conflict was resolved through a conversation.' In German, that is: Der Konflikt wurde durch ein Gespräch gelöst. It sounds much more professional than just saying 'We talked'. It focuses on the 'conversation' as the tool for peace. Use it when the 'how' is more interesting than the 'who'.

Don't use durch for the actual person initiating the action. That is the job for von. If a person is the primary actor, von is your friend. For example, 'The book was written by Peter' uses von. If you say durch Peter, it sounds like Peter was a tunnel the book crawled through. That is a bit weird! Also, avoid durch when using a physical tool that you are holding. In that case, we often use mit + Dative. 'I cut the bread with a knife' is mit einem Messer. Use durch for the channel or the cause, not the physical tool in your hand. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. Green for means and channels. Red for people and hand-held tools. If you get this right, you avoid many awkward stares from native speakers.

The biggest trap is the case. Many learners want to use the dative after durch. This is a classic mistake. durch always takes the accusative. Always! Check your articles twice. Another mistake is mixing up von and durch. Remember: von is the 'who', durch is the 'how'. If you say 'The bridge was built through the architect,' people will be confused. They will wonder if the architect is made of stone. Use von for the architect. Use durch for the construction process. Finally, don't forget the word order. In German, the second part of the verb loves the end of the sentence. Don't let it wander off. Keep that Partizip II locked in the final position. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are tired, but you can do better!

Let's compare von, durch, and mit.

• von + Dative: The Agent. (The person who does it). Example: Von der Chefin entschieden.
• durch + Accusative: The Means. (The channel or cause). Example: Durch einen Zufall entdeckt.
• mit + Dative: The Instrument. (The tool used by someone). Example: Mit einem Hammer repariert.

Think of a bank robbery. The vault was opened von the thief. It was opened mit a drill. It was opened durch a clever plan. See the difference? Each preposition gives a different flavor to the story. von is about responsibility. mit is about the physical object. durch is about the method or logic behind it. In B2, you need to switch between these to tell a complete story. It’s like having different lenses for your camera.