The Passive Voice
Use the passive voice when the action is more important than who or what does it, or when the doer is unknown or obvious. The object of the active sentence becomes the subject.
Level B2
Voice
Summary
- Use the passive voice when the action is more important than who or what does it, or when the doer is unknown or obvious. The object of the active sentence becomes the subject.
Structure
subject + be (in the right tense) + past participle (+ by + agent)
Examples
- The bridge was built in 1890.
- English is spoken all over the world.
- My car has been stolen.
- The results will be announced tomorrow.
Common mistakes
- • Use the past participle, not the base or past simple: NOT 'is speak' → 'is spoken.'
- • Match the tense in the 'be' verb: 'was built' (past), 'is built' (present).