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).
Related
More voice
Passive of Reporting Verbs
C1
To report beliefs or claims impersonally, English uses passive reporting structures. There is an impersonal 'It is said that...' form and a personal 'He is said to...' form with an infinitive.
Have / Get Something Done (Causative)
B2
The causative arranges for someone else to do something for you. 'Have/get + object + past participle' shows that a service is performed rather than done by the subject personally.