Passive Voice (simple tenses)
B1 IntermediateThe passive voice shifts the focus from the person performing an action to the person or object receiving it. It is formed using the verb 'be' and the past participle of the main verb.
Overview
In the passive voice, the object of an active sentence becomes the subject. This structure is used when the person performing the action is unknown, obvious, or less important than the action itself. It is common in formal writing, scientific reports, and news stories.
- Active: The chef prepares the food.
- Passive: The food is prepared by the chef.
Form
Subject + be (am/is/are/was/were/has been) + past participle
To form the passive, use the correct tense of the verb be followed by the past participle (V3) of the main verb. If you want to mention who did the action, use the preposition by.
Tense Changes
Notice that the verb be changes to match the tense of the original active sentence.
| Tense | Active | Passive |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | They make cars. | Cars are made. |
| Past Simple | They built the house. | The house was built. |
| Present Perfect | They have sent the mail. | The mail has been sent. |
Examples
Common mistakes
The letter was wrote yesterday.
The letter was written yesterday.
Always use the past participle (V3), not the past simple form.
The cake has eaten by the children.
The cake has been eaten by the children.
The Present Perfect passive requires 'been' between 'has/have' and the past participle.
Practice
Change to passive: 'The police arrested the thief.'
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The thief was arrested by the police.
Answer:The thief was arrested by the police.
Why:The object 'the thief' becomes the subject, and the past simple 'arrested' becomes 'was arrested'.
Complete the sentence: 'Spanish ____ (speak) in many South American countries.'
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is spoken
Answer:is spoken
Why:This is a general fact in the present simple, so we use 'is' + the past participle 'spoken'.
Change to passive: 'Someone has stolen my bike.'
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My bike has been stolen.
Answer:My bike has been stolen.
Why:In the present perfect passive, we use 'has been' + the past participle. We omit 'someone' because the actor is unknown.