Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'was' or 'were' plus a past participle to focus on what happened to something, rather than who did it.
- Use 'was' for singular subjects and 'were' for plural subjects: 'The letter was sent.'
- Always use the past participle (V3) of the main verb: 'The windows were broken.'
- Add 'by' only if the person who did the action is actually important: 'It was painted by Da Vinci.'
Overview
The chef prepared the meal. | シェフがその料理を準備した。 |The meal was prepared by the chef. | その料理はシェフによって準備された。 |Subject (受け手) + was / were + Past Participle (過去分詞)was or were)- 単数 (I, He, She, It, Singular nouns):
wasを使用 The window was broken.(窓が割られた。)- 複数 (You, We, They, Plural nouns):
wereを使用 The windows were broken.(複数の窓が割られた。)
-edをつけるだけ）は簡単ですが、不規則動詞は個別に覚える必要があります。write | wrote | written |break | broke | broken |take | took | taken |build | built | built |sell | sold | sold |by (任意)by + 人・物 を付け加えます。しかし、日常会話やレポートでは、動作主が不明だったり重要でなかったりすることが多いため、省略されることが一般的です。This house was built in 1990 (by my grandfather).
My bicycle was stolen last night.(昨夜、自転車が盗まれた。)The package was delivered this morning.(今朝、荷物が届けられた。)
The Tokyo Tower was completed in 1958.(東京タワーは1958年に完成した。)The decision was made after a long discussion.(長い議論の末、その決定が下された。)
This masterpiece was painted by Hokusai.(この傑作は北斎によって描かれた。)I was chosen as the team leader.(私はチームリーダーに選ばれた。)
A mistake was made in the calculation.(計算に間違いがありました。)The meeting was cancelled at the last minute.(会議は直前でキャンセルされました。)
The raw materials were imported from Australia.(原材料はオーストラリアから輸入された。)The results were analyzed by the researchers.(結果は研究者たちによって分析された。)
was/were)was/were を忘れてしまうミスが非常に多いです。- Incorrect:
The report finished yesterday.(これでは「レポートが（自分で）昨日終わった」という能動態の意味不明な文になります。) - Correct:
The report was finished yesterday.
I was rained. と言ってしまうミスです。英語の受動態は「他動詞（何かを対象にする動詞）」にしか使えません。happen, occur, arrive, die などの自動詞は受動態にできません。- Incorrect:
The accident was happened. - Correct:
The accident happened.(事故が起きた。)
- Incorrect:
The letter was wrote. - Correct:
The letter was written.
Someone stole my bag. | 「誰か」の行動に焦点を当てている。少し生々しい。 |My bag was stolen. | 「バッグ」という被害物に焦点を当てている。一般的。 |Cheese is made from milk. | 過去のことではなく、現在も変わらない「事実・習慣」。 |This cheese was made in France. | その特定のチーズが「過去に」フランスで作られた事実。 |was/were の代わりに get を使った過去形受動態 (got + past participle) もよく使われます。was が「状態や事実」を表すのに対し、get は「予期せぬ出来事や変化」というニュアンスが強くなります。I was hired.(採用された。：事実を述べている)I got hired!(採用されたよ！：動きや変化、喜びを感じさせる)
by は必ず使わなければなりませんか？by は省略されます。動作主が誰だか分からない時や、文脈から明らかな時（例：犯人は警察に捕まるもの）は使いません。動作主が意外な人物だったり、その人を強調したい時だけ by を使います。go, come, happen, stay などの「自動詞（目的語を持たない動詞）」は受動態にできません。また、have (持っている) や resemble (似ている) などの状態を表す他動詞も、基本的には受動態になりません。A car was had by me. とは言いません。The window broke. (能動態)、「誰かに割られた」なら The window was broken. (受動態) と使い分けます。何でもかんでも受動態にするのではなく、「誰かが意図的に行ったのか」を考えるのがコツです。I や We にしすぎると、押し付けがましい印象を与えることがあります。受動態を使うことで、「客観的な状況」として情報を伝えることができ、プロフェッショナルで落ち着いたトーンになります。例えば We received your email. よりも Your email was received. の方が、事務的でフォーマルな響きになります。Past Simple Passive Conjugation
| Subject | Auxiliary (to be) | Past Participle (V3) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I / He / She / It
|
was
|
done / seen / built
|
It was done.
|
|
You / We / They
|
were
|
done / seen / built
|
They were seen.
|
|
Negative (Singular)
|
was not (wasn't)
|
taken
|
He wasn't taken.
|
|
Negative (Plural)
|
were not (weren't)
|
taken
|
We weren't taken.
|
|
Question (Singular)
|
Was [subject]
|
invited?
|
Was she invited?
|
|
Question (Plural)
|
Were [subject]
|
invited?
|
Were they invited?
|
Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
|
was not
|
wasn't
|
|
were not
|
weren't
|
Meanings
The Past Simple Passive is used to describe completed actions in the past where the object of the action becomes the subject of the sentence. It is used when the 'doer' is unknown, obvious, or less important than the action itself.
Historical Facts
Describing events in history where the focus is on the discovery, invention, or event.
“The Pyramids were built thousands of years ago.”
“America was reached by Columbus in 1492.”
Crime and Accidents
Reporting incidents where the perpetrator might be unknown or the victim/object is the news.
“My bike was stolen last night.”
“The shop was robbed at 4 AM.”
Process and Results
Focusing on the completion of a task rather than the worker.
“The report was finished on time.”
“The emails were sent this morning.”
Reference Table
| 主語 | 過去受動態の形 | 例文 |
|---|---|---|
|
I
|
was + 過去分詞
|
I `was told` about the meeting.
|
|
You (singular)
|
were + 過去分詞
|
You `were invited` to the party.
|
|
He/She/It
|
was + 過去分詞
|
The car `was repaired` yesterday.
|
|
We
|
were + 過去分詞
|
We `were informed` of the changes.
|
|
You (plural)
|
were + 過去分詞
|
You `were offered` a discount.
|
|
They
|
were + 過去分詞
|
They `were given` clear instructions.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
The mobile device was misappropriated. (Theft)
My phone was stolen. (Theft)
My phone got nicked. (Theft)
My blower was swiped. (Theft)
過去単純受動態: 一目でわかる
構造
- was/were + Past Participle 動詞の形
いつ使うか
- Unknown/Unimportant Agent 行動した人が重要でない時
- Objectivity フォーマルなトーン
- Emphasis on Action/Receiver 何が起こったか
例
- The email was sent. メールが送られた
- Houses were built. 家が建てられた
能動態 vs. 受動態: 過去単純
過去単純受動態を使うべき？
「行動をした人」は不明、または重要ではありませんか？
行動そのもの、または行動されたものに焦点を当てたいですか？
フォーマルな文章（ニュース、レポートなど）を書いていますか？
受動態のための過去分詞
規則動詞 (-ed)
- • cleaned
- • finished
- • started
- • developed
不規則動詞 (よくあるもの)
- • broken
- • taken
- • given
- • written
- • seen
- • made
例文
- • The room was cleaned.
- • The picture was taken.
- • The decision was made.
レベル別の例文
The window was broken.
The window was broken.
The car was washed.
The car was washed.
The books were sold.
The books were sold.
The food was cold.
The food was cold.
The house was built in 1950.
The house was built in 1950.
The emails were sent at 9 AM.
The emails were sent at 9 AM.
The movie was directed by Spielberg.
The movie was directed by Spielberg.
Were the tickets bought yesterday?
Were the tickets bought yesterday?
The missing child was found in the park.
The missing child was found in the park.
The bridge was closed for repairs.
The bridge was closed for repairs.
My luggage was lost by the airline.
My luggage was lost by the airline.
The winners were chosen by a panel of experts.
The winners were chosen by a panel of experts.
The law was passed despite heavy opposition.
The law was passed despite heavy opposition.
The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment.
The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment.
The employees were notified of the changes via email.
The employees were notified of the changes via email.
The ancient ruins were discovered by accident.
The ancient ruins were discovered by accident.
The proposal was summarily rejected by the board.
The proposal was summarily rejected by the board.
The city was decimated by the earthquake of 1906.
The city was decimated by the earthquake of 1906.
The funds were misappropriated over a period of five years.
The funds were misappropriated over a period of five years.
The manuscript was painstakingly restored by conservators.
The manuscript was painstakingly restored by conservators.
The initiative was predicated upon the assumption of growth.
The initiative was predicated upon the assumption of growth.
The castle was besieged for months before it finally fell.
The castle was besieged for months before it finally fell.
The silence was broken only by the occasional cry of a gull.
The silence was broken only by the occasional cry of a gull.
The verdict was overturned on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
The verdict was overturned on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
間違えやすい
Learners use the active when they mean the passive, making it sound like objects performed actions.
Mixing up 'is/are' with 'was/were'.
Confusing 'was done' with 'was being done'.
よくある間違い
The car fixed yesterday.
The car was fixed yesterday.
The books was sold.
The books were sold.
I was borned in 1990.
I was born in 1990.
The window broken.
The window was broken.
The letter was wrote.
The letter was written.
The dinner was cook by my mom.
The dinner was cooked by my mom.
Was the work finish?
Was the work finished?
The thief was arrest.
The thief was arrested.
He was bit by a dog.
He was bitten by a dog.
The house was build in 2000.
The house was built in 2000.
The data was analyzed (when referring to multiple sets).
The data were analyzed.
文型パターン
The ___ was ___ by ___.
When was the ___ ___?
I wasn't ___ that ___.
Real World Usage
The suspect was arrested late last night.
The city was destroyed by fire in 1666.
Your order was shipped yesterday.
This video was made by my best friend!
The meeting was moved to Room 4.
The evidence was collected at the scene.
Spot the Receiver! (行動されたものに注目！)
Don't Overuse It! (使いすぎは注意！)
Master Irregular Verbs (不規則動詞をマスター！)
News & Formal Reports (ニュースや公式レポートで)
Smart Tips
Use the passive to sound professional and avoid pointing fingers.
Check if the verb before it is a past participle; if so, it's a passive sentence.
Use 'was taken' to describe the location or photographer.
If you don't know the V3, try adding -ed, but always double-check a dictionary for common verbs like 'see', 'give', and 'take'.
発音
Was/Were Stress
In passive sentences, 'was' and 'were' are usually unstressed (weak forms). The stress falls on the past participle.
-ed endings
Remember the three sounds of '-ed': /t/, /d/, and /ɪd/. 'Fixed' (/t/), 'Cleaned' (/d/), 'Painted' (/ɪd/).
Falling intonation for statements
The house was ↘built.
Conveys a completed fact.
暗記しよう
記憶術
W.W.P.P. -> Was/Were + Past Participle. Remember: 'What was performed?'
視覚的連想
Imagine a factory conveyor belt. The product (the subject) is at the front, and the worker (the agent) is hidden behind a curtain. The focus is entirely on the finished product being 'was made'.
Rhyme
If the doer is unknown or just doesn't matter, use was or were to make the object flatter!
Story
A detective walks into a room. He doesn't say 'Someone stole the diamond.' He says, 'The diamond was stolen!' He focuses on the crime (the object) because he doesn't know the thief yet.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Look around your room. Find three things and say when they were made or where they were bought. (e.g., 'This lamp was bought in IKEA.')
文化メモ
The passive is very common in British English to sound polite or indirect. Instead of saying 'You broke this,' a Brit might say 'This was broken,' to avoid blaming you directly.
In scientific papers globally, the passive is the standard to show objectivity. It suggests the results are true regardless of who did the experiment.
News headlines often drop the 'was/were' to save space, but the meaning remains passive.
The passive voice in English 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 were you born and raised?
Tell me about a famous historical event in your country.
Have you ever had something stolen?
What's the best gift you were ever given?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
The famous painting ___ last night.
Find and fix the mistake:
The books was delivered yesterday.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'La cena fue preparada por mi hermano.'
Answer starts with: ["T...
Score: /4
練習問題
8 exercisesThe letter ___ (post) yesterday morning.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
The windows was cleaned last week.
The chef prepared the meal.
We use 'was' for the subjects 'I, he, she, it' in the past passive.
A: Did you see the news? B: Yes, the bank ___ (rob) again!
Select the irregular one:
Active: 'They invited us.'
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesMany mistakes ___ during the first trial.
The secret code was broke by hackers.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Translate: 'Los resultados fueron publicados anoche.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the subjects with the correct form:
The ancient city ___ by an earthquake.
Many valuable items was lost in the fire.
Which of these sentences is correct?
Translate: 'Los documentos fueron firmados esta mañana.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Score: /11
よくある質問 (8)
Use `by` only when the person or thing doing the action is important to the meaning. For example: 'The song was written by John Lennon.' If you say 'The room was cleaned by a cleaner,' it's usually better to just say 'The room was cleaned.'
No. You can only use it with 'transitive' verbs (verbs that take an object). You cannot use it with verbs like `go`, `sleep`, `happen`, or `arrive`.
Not at all! In fact, it's often more polite because it avoids blaming people. Saying 'The mistake was made' is softer than 'You made a mistake.'
We almost always use `was born` because being born is a finished action in the past. We only use 'is born' in very specific literary or religious contexts.
Move `was` or `were` to the start of the sentence. Example: 'Was the car stolen?'
In informal English, yes. 'I got fired' is the same as 'I was fired.' However, 'was' is better for writing and formal exams.
Yes, always. The passive voice cannot exist without the past participle (V3).
Because journalists often don't know who did the action (e.g., 'A man was killed') or they want to focus on the victim/event.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Voz pasiva (ser + participio) or Pasiva refleja (se)
English lacks the 'se' reflexive passive.
La voix passive (être + participe passé)
French participles must agree in gender and number with the subject.
Vorgangspassiv (werden + Partizip II)
The auxiliary verb is 'to become' in German, not 'to be'.
受身 (ukemi)
Japanese changes the verb ending rather than adding an auxiliary verb like 'was'.
المبني للمجهول (al-mabni lil-majhul)
Arabic does not use an auxiliary verb like 'was' to form the passive.
被字句 (bèi zì jù)
Chinese verbs do not change form (no participles).
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
関連動画
08:55 The Land Your State Doesn't Control
09:02 Grading Canada's Provincial Flags
09:55 Is Civilization on the Brink of Collapse?
PASSIVE VOICE - English Grammar step-by-step
Arnel's Everyday English
Passive Voice | English Grammar Lessons For Beginners | Spoken English For Beginners
WOW English
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