Does this sentence need the passive?
Hi to everyone,

I'd be very grateful for someone's help with the following.

Does this sentence need the passive?

'They were married for five years'

Sie waren für / seit fünf Jahren verheiratet

Sie wurden für / seit fünf Jahren verheiratet

Also, does the use of 'seit' make a difference here, given that it implies something is carrying on into the present?

Thanks so much

Gemma

Question

Does this sentence need the passive?
Hi to everyone,

I'd be very grateful for someone's help with the following.

Does this sentence need the passive?

'They were married for five years'

Sie waren für / seit fünf Jahren verheiratet

Sie wurden für / seit fünf Jahren verheiratet

Also, does the use of 'seit' make a difference here, given that it implies something is carrying on into the present?

Thanks so much

Gemma

Answer

"Sie waren für fünf Jahre verheiratet." is correct, implying they were married for five years, but are now divorced.

"Sie sind seit fünf Jahren verheiratet." (present tense!) would mean "They have been married for five years." and are still married, as you said, carrying on into the present.

Hope this helps.

Answers · 2

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