Passive Voice
A complete B1 guide to passive voice in present, past, present perfect, continuous, modal, and infinitive forms.
What Is the Passive Voice?
Use the passive voice when the focus is on what happens to the subject, not on who does the action.
| Active | Passive |
|---|---|
Somebody built this house in 1981. | This house was built in 1981. |
People clean this room every day. | This room is cleaned every day. |
The basic form is:
be + past participle
The window was broken.
Cheese is made from milk.
The documents are kept in a safe place.
Why Use the Passive?
Use the passive when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or obvious.
My bike was stolen last night.
English is spoken in many countries.
The meeting was cancelled.
If the doer matters, use by.
This house was built by my grandfather.
The song was written by a local musician.
Present and Past Passive
| Tense | Passive Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| present simple | am / is / are + past participle | The office is cleaned every evening. |
| past simple | was / were + past participle | The office was cleaned yesterday. |
Many accidents are caused by careless driving.
We were woken by a loud noise.
Other Useful Passive Forms
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| present perfect passive | has / have been + past participle | The trip has been cancelled. |
| present continuous passive | am / is / are being + past participle | The road is being repaired. |
| modal passive | modal + be + past participle | Something must be done. |
| going to passive | am / is / are going to be + past participle | A new school is going to be built. |
Have you ever been bitten by a dog?
We are being followed.
This problem can be solved.
Active or Passive?
Use active voice when the doer is important.
The company employs 200 people.
Use passive voice when the result or object is more important.
Two hundred people are employed by the company.
| Active Focus | Passive Focus |
|---|---|
The storm damaged the roof. | The roof was damaged in the storm. |
Someone sent the letter. | The letter was sent. |
They will announce the results. | The results will be announced. |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Better | Why |
|---|---|---|
This house built in 1981. | This house was built in 1981. | Passive needs be. |
Cheese is make from milk. | Cheese is made from milk. | Use the past participle. |
The room cleans every day. | The room is cleaned every day. | The room receives the action. |
The letter sent yesterday. | The letter was sent yesterday. | Use was/were for past passive. |
The road is repairing now. | The road is being repaired now. | Use being for continuous passive. |
Practice: Exercises
Cheese ___ made from milk.
Summary
Use the passive voice when the focus is on what happens to the subject.
The basic form is be + past participle.
Use by when you want to say who or what did the action.
Common B1 passive forms include is made, was built, has been cancelled, is being repaired, and must be done.