Passive in Present
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The Swedish passive is formed by adding an '-s' to the verb, shifting focus from the doer to the action.
- Add -s to the present tense verb: 'läser' (reads) becomes 'läses' (is read).
- The agent (the person doing the action) is usually omitted in passive sentences.
- If the verb already ends in -s, use 'blir' + past participle instead.
Meanings
The passive voice is used when the action is more important than who performs it, or when the performer is unknown.
General Passive
Focusing on the object receiving the action.
“Dörren låses varje kväll.”
“Mat serveras klockan tolv.”
General Truths
Describing habits or universal facts.
“Här talas det svenska.”
“Det sägs att han är rik.”
S-Passive Formation
| Active Present | Passive Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| läser | läses | is read |
| skriver | skrivs | is written |
| bygger | byggs | is built |
| säljer | säljs | is sold |
| talar | talas | is spoken |
| gör | görs | is done |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Verb + s | Boken läses. |
| Negative | Verb + s + inte | Boken läses inte. |
| Question | Verb + s + Subject? | Läses boken? |
| Blir-Passive | Blir + Participle | Huset blir byggt. |
| Dummy Subject | Det + Verb + s | Det sägs att... |
| Past Tense | Verb + des | Boken lästes. |
طیف رسمیت
Dörren låses. (Security)
Dörren låses. (Security)
Man låser dörren. (Security)
Dörren är låst. (Security)
Passive Voice Concept Map
Usage
- News Nyheter
- Instructions Instruktioner
Formation
- Verb + s Add -s
Examples by Level
Boken läses.
The book is read.
Mat serveras.
Food is served.
Huset målas.
The house is painted.
Det görs.
It is done.
Här talas det svenska.
Swedish is spoken here.
Dörren låses kl 20.
The door is locked at 8 PM.
Kaffe dricks ofta.
Coffee is often drunk.
Brevet skrivs nu.
The letter is being written now.
Beslut fattas av styrelsen.
Decisions are made by the board.
Regler följs alltid.
Rules are always followed.
Information ges på kontoret.
Information is given at the office.
Möten hålls på måndagar.
Meetings are held on Mondays.
Det antas att priserna stiger.
It is assumed that prices will rise.
Frågan diskuteras ingående.
The issue is discussed in depth.
Resultaten presenteras imorgon.
The results are presented tomorrow.
Lösningen anses vara bäst.
The solution is considered to be best.
Det påstås att författaren var anonym.
It is claimed that the author was anonymous.
Hänsyn tas till alla parter.
Consideration is given to all parties.
Det efterfrågas mer transparens.
More transparency is requested.
Det råder stor osäkerhet.
There is great uncertainty.
Det må så vara, men...
That may be so, but...
Det föreslås att förslaget bordläggs.
It is proposed that the motion be tabled.
Det betraktas som en självklarhet.
It is regarded as a matter of course.
Det förväntas att normen upprätthålls.
It is expected that the norm is upheld.
Easily Confused
Both end in -s.
اشتباهات رایج
Jag läses boken.
Boken läses.
Boken är läses.
Boken läses.
Det säljs bilar av honom.
Bilar säljs.
Han känns glad.
Han känner sig glad.
Det blir gjorts.
Det görs.
Sentence Patterns
___ läses varje dag.
Real World Usage
Banken rånas.
Keep it simple
Smart Tips
Use passive to sound objective.
تلفظ
S-ending
The 's' is pronounced as a sharp /s/ sound.
Falling
Boken läses ↘
Statement of fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
The 'S' stands for 'Shift'—you shift the focus to the object.
Visual Association
Imagine a book floating in the air with an 'S' glowing on its cover; it's being read by no one in particular.
Rhyme
When the actor is out of sight, add an 's' to make it right.
Story
The baker is gone. The bread is baked. The shop is opened. The bread is sold. Everything happens without the baker.
Word Web
چالش
Look at 5 objects in your room and describe them using the passive voice (e.g., 'Lampan tänds').
نکات فرهنگی
The passive is heavily used in official Swedish to sound objective.
Comes from the Old Norse reflexive pronoun 'sik'.
Conversation Starters
Vad görs i Sverige på midsommar?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Boken ___ (läsa).
Score: /1
تمرینهای عملی
1 exercisesBoken ___ (läsa).
Score: /1
سوالات متداول (1)
Most, but some irregular ones use 'blir'.
In Other Languages
Se vende
Spanish 'se' is a pronoun; Swedish '-s' is a suffix.
wird gemacht
Swedish is more compact.
on fait
Swedish is more formal.
~reru
Japanese conjugation is more complex.
Passive form
Swedish uses suffixes.
bei
Swedish is synthetic.
