Passive Voice
01 · Quick explanation
The passive focuses on the action or the object, not on who does it: The bridge was built in 1990.
02 · Full explanation
Form the passive with be + past participle (V3). The tense is shown by be: is/are made (Present Simple), was/were made (Past Simple), will be made (future), has/have been made (Present Perfect). The object of the active sentence becomes the subject. Add by + agent only when it is important who did it.
03 · Formula
04 · Affirmative
+ Object + be (am/is/are/was/were/will be/has been) + V3 (+ by …)
- English is spoken here.
- The letter was sent yesterday.
05 · Negative
− Object + be + not + V3
- The room isn't cleaned every day.
- The cake wasn't eaten.
06 · Question
? Be + object + V3?
- Is breakfast included?
- When was this house built?
07 · Examples
ENActive: Someone cleans the classroom. → Passive: The classroom is cleaned every day.
KZСынып күн сайын тазаланады.
RUКласс убирают каждый день.
ENThe Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.
KZ«Мона Лизаны» Леонардо да Винчи салған.
RU«Мона Лиза» была написана Леонардо да Винчи.
ENThe results will be announced tomorrow.
KZНәтижелер ертең жарияланады.
RUРезультаты объявят завтра.
ENMy bike has been stolen!
KZМенің велосипедімді ұрлап кетті!
RUУ меня украли велосипед!
ENRice is grown in many Asian countries.
KZКүріш Азияның көптеген елдерінде өсіріледі.
RUРис выращивают во многих странах Азии.
08 · Signal words
09 · Common mistakes
✗ The house was build in 1990.
✓ The house was built in 1990.
Use the past participle (V3): built.
✗ The letter sent yesterday.
✓ The letter was sent yesterday.
The passive needs be: was sent.
✗ The cakes was eaten.
✓ The cakes were eaten.
Plural subject → were.
10 · Compare with similar grammar
Active vs Passive
Active: the subject does the action. Passive: the subject receives the action.
Tom wrote the letter.
The letter was written by Tom.
They make cars here.
Cars are made here.
11 · Interactive exercises
Answer each task and press Check. Type answers in English.
0 / 10 · 0 checked
1. Choose the correct answer:
This bridge ___ in 1990.
2. Choose the correct answer:
English ___ all over the world.
3. Choose the correct answer:
The new school ___ next year.
4. Choose the correct answer:
The windows ___ yet.
5. Fill in the gap:
Paper ___ (make) from wood.
6. Fill in the gap:
The thief ___ (catch) last night.
7. Fill in the gap:
These photos ___ (take) by my grandfather in 1975.
8. Fill in the gap:
Your order ___ (deliver) tomorrow.
9. Correct the sentence:
The book was write by Abai.
10. Correct the sentence:
The cars are wash every week.
12 · Mini test
Question 1 / 5
Which sentence is correct?
13 · Practice
Choose a skill to practise this topic.