Passive Voice
Form the passive in common tenses and use it when the action matters more than the person who did it.
15 minIntermediate
1The grammar
In an active sentence, the subject does the action (The director approved the plan). In a passive sentence, the subject receives the action (The plan was approved). We use the passive when the action or result is more important than the doer, or when the doer is unknown or obvious.
The passive is formed with the verb be + past participle. The tense is shown by be: is made, was made, has been made, will be made. The past participle does not change.
Add by + the doer only when this information is useful (The museum was designed by a local architect). Very often it is left out (My phone has been stolen).
Only verbs that take an object can be passive. Verbs such as happen, arrive, die and exist have no passive form, so 'The accident was happened' is wrong.
2Structure and formation
Present simple
am / is / are + past participle
Invoices are sent on the last day of the month.
Present continuous
am / is / are + being + past participle
The lift is being repaired at the moment.
Past simple
was / were + past participle
The bridge was closed last night.
Present perfect
has / have + been + past participle
Two new stores have been opened this year.
Modals and future
will / must / can + be + past participle
Passports must be shown at the gate.
3Examples
This software is used by over 2,000 companies.
Present simple passive, with 'by' because the number is useful information.
Our flight was delayed by three hours.
Past simple passive. Here 'by' gives the length of the delay, not a doer.
The contract has been signed.
Present perfect passive: the result matters now, and the doer is not important.
The winners will be announced next month.
Future passive.
Smoking is not allowed in the building.
Present simple negative: the 'not' goes after the verb be.
Were the tickets paid for in advance?
Passive question: put the verb be before the subject.
4Common mistakes
The email sent yesterday.
The email was sent yesterday.
The passive needs the verb be before the past participle.
The report is write every week.
The report is written every week.
Use the past participle after be, not the base form.
The accident was happened on the motorway.
The accident happened on the motorway.
'Happen' does not take an object, so it cannot be passive.
The new policy was introduced from the manager.
The new policy was introduced by the manager.
Use 'by' to name the doer in a passive sentence.
5Practical usage
Work and business
Reports and formal emails often use the passive to focus on results: 'The order has been dispatched', 'Your application will be reviewed next week'.
News
News reports use the passive when the doer is unknown or less important: 'Three people were injured in the fire'.
Signs and instructions
Formal notices often use the passive, especially with modals: 'Bags must not be left unattended'.
Now practise it
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