Passive Voice Basics helps you communicate about processes, results and actions with unknown or unimportant agents. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can use the passive when the action or result is more important than the agent.
- Recognise and build the form: be + past participle.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Passive Voice Basics for processes, results and actions with unknown or unimportant agents. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
English is spoken in many countries.
The present passive uses 'is + past participle' for a singular subject.
The windows are cleaned every Friday.
Use 'are cleaned' for a regular passive action with a plural subject.
This bridge was built in 1998.
The past passive uses 'was + past participle'.
be + past participleKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- The present passive uses 'is + past participle' for a singular subject.
- Use 'are cleaned' for a regular passive action with a plural subject.
- The past passive uses 'was + past participle'.
- Use 'were sent' for a completed passive action with a plural subject.
- Use the passive when the product, not the grower, is the focus.
Common mistakes
Not:English speaks in many countries.
Use:English is spoken in many countries.
The present passive uses 'is + past participle' for a singular subject.
Not:The windows clean every Friday.
Use:The windows are cleaned every Friday.
Use 'are cleaned' for a regular passive action with a plural subject.
Not:This bridge built in 1998.
Use:This bridge was built in 1998.
The past passive uses 'was + past participle'.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
The emails ____ yesterday.
were sent
Use 'were sent' for a completed passive action with a plural subject.
Rice ____ in this region.
is grown
Use the passive when the product, not the grower, is the focus.
The room ____ by a famous architect.
was designed
Use the past passive and introduce the agent with 'by'.