Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The passive voice shifts the focus from 'who did it' to 'what happened' to the object.
- Use 'am/is/are' + the past participle (V3) of the main verb. Example: 'The mail is delivered.'
- The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. Example: 'I eat apples' becomes 'Apples are eaten.'
- Use 'by' only if the person doing the action is actually important. Example: 'The book is written by J.K. Rowling.'
Overview
Liked by 42 people）」とか「コメントでメンションされました（Mentioned in a comment）」みたいなフレーズがあるよね。何か変だって気づいた？アクションを起こしている人が最後に来ているか、もしかしたら全くいないこともある！これが受動態（Passive Voice）なんだ。これは動詞のための「証人保護プログラム」みたいなもので、時には被害者（目的語）に注目して、実行犯（主語）を秘密にしておきたいことがあるんだ。能動態（Active Voice）では The chef makes the pizza.（シェフがピザを作る）と言うけど、受動態では
The pizza is made.（ピザが作られる）と言う。ピザが主役で、誰がキッチンにいるかなんてどうでもいいときにピッタリなんだ。I sent the text.（私がメッセージを送った）。これが能動態。直接的でパンチが効いてるよね。でも、送信者よりメッセージの内容の方が重要だったら？あるいは誰が送ったか知らなかったら？そこで登場するのが現在単純受動態（Present Simple Passive）だ。これは定期的に起こること、事実、あるいは「誰がやったか」より「何が起きたか」が重要なプロセスを説明するときに使う。お気に入りのフードデリバリーアプリを思い浮かべてみて。
Your order is prepared（注文が準備されています）と表示されたら、それは受動態を使っているんだ。マルコシェフが作っていようがロボットが作っていようが関係ない、ただご飯が欲しいだけだもんね！これは英語をより客観的で、プロフェッショナルで、洗練された響きにするB1レベルのスーパーパワーだ。それに、責任逃れにも使える。The window is broken（窓が割れている）の方が I broke the window（私が窓を割った）よりもずっと安全に聞こえるでしょ？（冗談だよ、親に嘘をつくために文法を使っちゃダメだよ）。
How This Grammar Works
- 1Active:
People (Subject) use (Verb) TikTok (Object) every day.
- 2Passive:
TikTok (New Subject)
is used(Passive Verb) every day.
by の後に移動して文末に来る。TikTok is used by millions と言えば、その by millions は「動作主（agent）」と呼ばれる。でも正直なところ、大抵の場合は明白だったり重要じゃなかったりするから省略しちゃうんだ。これは主演俳優がスタントマンに入れ替わる映画みたいなもの。アクションはそのまだけど、顔が変わるんだね。
Formation Pattern
to be の変化形と、動詞の3番目の形（過去分詞：Past Participle）だけ。
am, is, are を選ぶ。(The coffee is...)
is made...)
Conjugation Table
| Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| Positive | The email is sent. |
メールは送信されます。 |
| Negative | The email is not sent. |
メールは送信されません。 |
| Question | Is the email sent? |
メールは送信されますか？ |
| Plural | The emails are sent. |
メール（複数）は送信されます。 |
When To Use It
- The 'Who' is Unknown:
My bike
（自転車が盗まれた！誰がやったか検討もつかないけど、歩いて帰らなきゃいけないのは確かだ）。is stolen! - The 'Who' is Obvious:
The criminal
（犯人が逮捕された。警察だってことは分かってるから、わざわざ言う必要はないよね）。is arrested. - General Truths & Facts:
English
（英語は世界中で話されている。これは世界的な事実であって、特定の誰かについての話じゃない）。is spokenall over the world. - Processes & Instructions:
The grapes
（ブドウが摘まれて、それから潰される。これがワインの作り方だ。大学生にはとても重要な知識だね）。are picked, then theyare crushed.
is delivered（配達される）。YouTubeのコメントが is pinned（固定される）。WiFiのパスワードが is saved（保存される）。これはテクノロジーと自動化の言語なんだ。
Common Mistakes
The house built in 1990.
The house is built in 1990.（待って、これは過去形になるべきだけど、The house is cleaned every week みたいな事実を言うときの感覚は分かるよね）。
The song is singed.
The song is sung.（不規則動詞は、ルールを全然守らないあの友達みたいなもの。ただ覚えるしかないんだ）。
I am eaten pizza.
I eat pizza.（ピザに歯が生えてて態度が悪い場合を除いて、食べているのは君の方だ！）。
The messages is sent.
The messages are sent.（主語が複数なら動詞も複数。いつだってそう）。
Contrast With Similar Patterns
- Active:
Apple makes iPhones.（Appleに注目）。 - Passive:
iPhones
（iPhoneに注目）。are madeby Apple.
- Simple:
The trash
（定期的な習慣/スケジュール）。is collectedon Tuesdays. - Continuous:
The trash
（窓の外を見て、トラックがそこにいる！）。is being collectedright now.
- Present:
The office
（今起きている/日課）。is cleanedevery day. - Past:
The office
（以前起きた）。was cleanedyesterday.
Quick FAQ
どんな動詞でも受動態にできる？
いいや！「他動詞」（目的語をとる動詞）だけが受動態になれる。I am slept とは言えないよ。「何かを」眠ることはできないからね。
受動態を使うのは失礼？
全然！実際、フォーマルな場面では攻撃的に聞こえないから、より丁寧なんだ。
You made a mistake!（君がミスをした！）と言うより
A mistake was made（ミスが発生した）と言う方が響きがいいでしょ？
いつも by を使わなきゃいけないの？
ううん。実際、受動態の文の80%はそれを使っていないんだ。アクションを起こした人が実に興味深い場合や意外な場合だけ付け加えればいいよ。
Real Conversations
Scenario 1: Tech Support
User
Agent
is reset automatically every 90 days for security.（心配しないで。セキュリティのために、パスワードは90日ごとに自動的にリセットされるんだ。）Scenario 2: At a Trendy Café
Customer
Barista
are imported from a small farm in Ethiopia, and each cup is brewed by hand.（豆はエチオピアの小さな農園から輸入されていて、一杯ずつ手作業で淹れられているからです。）Progressive Practice
Easy:
They sell newspapers hereを受動態に変えてみて。(
Newspapers are sold here).
Medium: 否定文にして:
The app is updated.(
The app is not updated).
Hard: 車がどこで作られているか質問してみて。(Where are cars made?).
Expert: インスタのキャプション全体を能動態から受動態に書き換えて、「エモい（aesthetic）」響きにしてみよう。
2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Short Form |
|---|---|
|
is not
|
isn't
|
|
are not
|
aren't
|
|
am not
|
(no contraction)
|
Present Simple Passive Formation
| Subject | To Be | Past Participle (V3) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
am
|
invited
|
I am invited to the party.
|
|
You / We / They
|
are
|
invited
|
They are invited to the party.
|
|
He / She / It
|
is
|
invited
|
It is invited to the party.
|
|
Singular Noun (The car)
|
is
|
washed
|
The car is washed.
|
|
Plural Noun (The cars)
|
are
|
washed
|
The cars are washed.
|
Meanings
A grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence is the person or thing that receives the action, rather than the one performing it.
General Facts & Processes
Used to describe how things are made, where they come from, or general truths where the 'doer' is obvious or irrelevant.
“Paper is made from wood.”
“The museum is visited by thousands of people every day.”
Formal Instructions & Rules
Used to state rules or procedures in a formal or objective way.
“Smoking is not allowed in the building.”
“ID cards are required for entry.”
Unknown or Unimportant Agent
Used when we don't know who does the action, or it doesn't matter.
“The trash is collected on Tuesdays.”
“My car is serviced every six months.”
Reference Table
| 主語 | be動詞 | 過去分詞 (V3) | 例文 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
am
|
invited
|
I am invited to the party.
|
|
You/We/They
|
are
|
eaten
|
Pizzas are eaten worldwide.
|
|
He/She/It
|
is
|
made
|
This car is made in Japan.
|
|
The reports
|
are
|
submitted
|
The reports are submitted weekly.
|
|
The news
|
is
|
broadcast
|
The news is broadcast at 6 PM.
|
|
The doors
|
are
|
locked
|
The doors are locked at 9 PM.
|
|
The decision
|
is
|
made
|
The decision is made by the board.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
The premises are cleaned on a daily basis. (Workplace maintenance)
The office is cleaned every day. (Workplace maintenance)
The place gets cleaned daily. (Workplace maintenance)
The spot is done up every day. (Workplace maintenance)
受動態の基本要素：現在形
コア要素
- be動詞 am, is, are (present tense)
- 過去分詞 V3 form of main verb
いつ使う？
- 犯人不明 Focus on action, not agent
- 行為者が重要でない Action is primary
- フォーマルな場面 News, reports, academic writing
文の流れ
- 対象を最初に Original object becomes new subject
- by 誰々（任意） To mention the doer if needed
能動態 vs 受動態 (現在形)
受動態を使うかどうかの判断
「誰が」やったかが重要、または分かっている？
動作そのものや、受ける側の物を強調したい？
その動作は現在の習慣や一般的な事実？
受動態で使う動詞（V3の例）
規則動詞
- • cleaned
- • finished
- • developed
- • loved
- • published
不規則動詞
- • taken
- • written
- • eaten
- • made
- • given
- • spoken
よく使うbe動詞
- • am
- • is
- • are
レベル別の例文
English is spoken here.
The cars are made in Japan.
Is breakfast served at 8?
The trash is collected on Monday.
The website is updated every day.
Are these shoes made of leather?
The office isn't cleaned on Sundays.
Many movies are filmed in London.
The data is stored on a secure server.
The winner is chosen by a panel of judges.
How is this word pronounced?
The animals are fed twice a day.
The results are analyzed using statistical software.
It is estimated that 20% of energy is wasted.
The law is strictly enforced in this city.
The project is managed by the local council.
The proposal is widely regarded as a breakthrough.
Access is restricted to authorized personnel only.
The nuance is often lost in translation.
The budget is allocated based on performance.
The narrative is underpinned by a sense of loss.
It is often contended that progress is inevitable.
The system is designed to be self-correcting.
The distinction is frequently blurred in practice.
間違えやすい
Learners often use 'is' when they should use 'was' for past events.
Some words look like participles but are actually adjectives (e.g., 'The door is closed').
Mixing up Present Continuous and Present Passive.
よくある間違い
The car made in Germany.
The car is made in Germany.
English speak here.
English is spoken here.
The apples is eaten.
The apples are eaten.
I am invite to the party.
I am invited to the party.
The letter is wrote.
The letter is written.
Is the work finish?
Is the work finished?
The house is builded.
The house is built.
The accident is happened.
The accident happened.
He is said that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
The dinner is being serve.
The dinner is being served.
The problem is solved by itself.
The problem is solved.
文型パターン
___ is made of ___.
___ are grown in ___.
It is said that ___.
___ is strictly prohibited in ___.
Real World Usage
The victim is taken to the hospital.
The sample is placed in a vacuum.
The mixture is stirred until smooth.
Made in Vietnam.
Passengers are requested to remain seated.
Obsessed with coffee. Based in NYC.
be動詞＋過去分詞を見逃さないで！
The car is washed.
使いすぎには注意！
The house is cleaned.
「対象物」を一番最初に置こう
The mail is sent.
フォーマル vs カジュアル
The news is reported.
能動態の方がいい時もあるよ
I bake the bread.
Smart Tips
Look for the 'Be' verb + 'V3'. If both are there, it's passive.
Use the passive to avoid blaming someone directly.
Use the passive to keep the focus on the product, not the person cooking.
Always double-check the V3 form. It's the most common place for errors.
発音
Linking 'is' and 'are'
In the passive, 'is' and 'are' often link to the following participle.
Reduced 'are'
The word 'are' is often reduced to a schwa sound /ə/ in natural speech.
Emphasis on the Participle
The book is WRITTEN, not read.
Emphasizing the specific action being done.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Remember 'B-P': Be + Participle. If there's no 'Be', it's not Passive!
視覚的連想
Imagine a factory conveyor belt. The products (objects) are moving along, and things are being done to them by invisible hands. The focus is on the product, not the workers.
Rhyme
When the doer is a mystery, use 'is' and 'are' with V3!
Story
A mysterious detective arrives at a crime scene. He doesn't say 'Someone stole the jewels.' He says 'The jewels are stolen.' He doesn't say 'Someone broke the window.' He says 'The window is broken.' He focuses on the clues, not the unknown thief.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Look around your room. Find 5 things and say how they are used or where they are made (e.g., 'My phone is made in China', 'The light is turned on').
文化メモ
The passive is very common in British English to sound polite and indirect, avoiding blaming someone directly.
In scientific and academic circles, the passive is the standard to show objectivity and focus on the experiment, not the scientist.
Laws and regulations almost exclusively use the passive to create a sense of universal application.
The English passive voice evolved from Old English, which used the verbs 'weorthan' (to become) and 'beon' (to be) with a past participle.
会話のきっかけ
Where is your phone made?
How is your favorite traditional dish prepared?
What rules are strictly enforced in your city?
How is the news reported in your country?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
Score: /4
練習問題
8 exercisesThe mail ___ (deliver) every morning at 9 AM.
Which sentence is in the Present Simple Passive?
Find and fix the mistake:
The books is written by a famous author.
Spanish ___ in Mexico.
We use the passive voice when the person doing the action is the most important part of the sentence.
A: Is the office open on Saturdays? B: No, the doors ___.
Choose the intransitive verb.
1. They grow rice. 2. They sell rice. 3. They cook rice.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesFresh bread ___ every morning at the bakery.
The news broadcast at 7 PM.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'このメールは全ての従業員に送信されます。'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the subjects with the correct form:
The rules ___ strictly followed in this institution.
Many historical documents is kept in the museum.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'この歌は世界中の何百万人もの人に愛されています。'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the active subject to the 'be' verb needed in passive:
Score: /12
よくある質問 (8)
You can, but you shouldn't. Only use `by` if the person doing the action adds important information. 'The book is written by Steve' is good. 'The room is cleaned by a cleaner' is redundant.
Use `is made of` when you can still see the original material (e.g., 'The chair is made of wood'). Use `is made from` when the material has changed (e.g., 'Paper is made from wood').
No. Only 'transitive' verbs (verbs that take an object) can be passive. Verbs like `happen`, `sleep`, and `go` cannot be passive.
Not always, but it is more common in formal writing. In casual speech, we often use 'they' (e.g., 'They say it's going to rain') instead of the passive ('It is said...').
Because it can make writing sound wordy or evasive. However, in science and news, it is often the best choice for objectivity.
Just add `not` after the verb 'to be'. For example: 'The car is not washed.'
It is the third form of a verb (e.g., go-went-**gone**). For regular verbs, it ends in `-ed`.
It can be. If you mean 'Someone closes the door every day,' it's passive. If you are just describing the door right now, 'closed' is an adjective.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Ser + participio / Pasiva con 'se'
English rarely uses a reflexive structure for the passive.
Être + participe passé
French participles must agree in gender and number with the subject.
Werden + Partizip II
The auxiliary verb is 'become', not 'be'.
~reru / ~rareru
Japanese passive is a verb conjugation, not an auxiliary verb construction.
Al-Fi'l al-Majhul
Passive is indicated by vowel changes, not extra words.
被 (bèi) structure
The passive marker 'bèi' is optional and often implies a negative result.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
関連動画
08:15 Mirror Bacteria Could Destroy All Life As We Know It
05:17 Upstairs, downstairs: The life of a British maid - Stephanie Honchell Smith
07:37 New Orleans Mac & Cheese (Veggie ‘Holy Trinity’ & Bucatini Pasta) | Food Wishes
【受動態】「〜される」の英語表現をマスターしよう！
Hapa 英会話
中学英語の総復習：受動態（受け身）の基本と応用
Sakura English
Related Grammar Rules
客観性のための受動態：「～と言われている」
### Overview 英語の文法には、情報源を特定せずに情報を伝えたり、情報を述べた人よりも情報そのものを強調したりするための特...
法助動詞と受動態の報告表現（C1レベル）
### 概要 リポートスピーチ（間接話法）における助動詞の扱い、そして受動態を用いた報告構文の習得は、英語力をC1レベルへと引...
報告動詞：誰が何を言った？
### Overview 英語を学んでいる皆さんは、誰かが言ったことを他人に伝える際、つい `say` や `tell` ばかりを使っていませんか...
受動態を使う時（ニュースや噂を報告する際）
Overview X（Twitter）をスクロールしていて、「新作の GTA が来週発売されるという噂がある（It is rumored that the new GTA...
受動態報告構造（彼は～だと言われている）
### Overview 英語学習において、中級から上級（C1レベル）へとステップアップする際、避けて通れないのが「情報の伝え方」の洗...
