Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the Present Simple Passive to focus on what happens to something, rather than who does it.
- Use 'am/is/are' plus the past participle (V3) of the main verb.
- The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
- Use 'by' only if the person doing the action is actually important to the story.
Overview
The chef (S) prepares (V) the meal (O). | シェフが（は）料理を作る。 |The meal (S) is prepared (V) by the chef. | 料理が（は）シェフによって作られる。 |- 1一般的な事実や真理:
English is spoken all over the world.（英語は世界中で話されている） - 2習慣や繰り返される動作:
The office is cleaned every night.（オフィスは毎晩掃除される） - 3規則やシステム:
Plastic is recycled in this city.（この街ではプラスチックはリサイクルされる）
Subject + am / is / are + Past Participle (V3)be 動詞の選択be 動詞はその新しい主語に合わせて変化させなければなりません。I→am(I am chosen.)He / She / It / 単数名詞→is(The report is finished.)You / We / They / 複数名詞→are(The documents are sent.)
clean -> cleaned）は過去形と同じですが、不規則動詞（write -> written, make -> made, speak -> spoken）は個別に覚える必要があります。B1レベルでは、これらの不規則変化を正確に使い分けることが求められます。by (オプション)by + 人・組織 を付け加えます。しかし、受動態の真骨頂は「誰がしたか」を隠す（あるいは言わない）ことにあるため、by 句は省略されることが非常に多いです。Subject + is/are + V3 | Coffee is grown in Brazil. |Subject + is/are + not + V3 | This room isn't used today. |Is/Are + Subject + V3? | Is tea served with milk here? |The newspaper is delivered at 6 AM.The trash is collected every Tuesday.
Baggage is checked at the security counter.English is taught in Japanese junior high schools.（先生が教えるのは明白）
First, the grapes are picked. Then, they are crushed to make juice.（ワインの製造工程）The data is analyzed, and the results are shared with the team.
It is said that...（〜と言われている）New regulations are implemented to ensure safety.（安全確保のため新しい規制が施行される）
A mistake is found in the contract.（契約書に間違いがあります。←「あなたが間違えた」と言わない配慮）The payment is not yet received.（支払いがまだ確認できていません。←「あなたが払っていない」と言わない）
be 動詞の脱落be 動詞を忘れて過去分詞だけを置いてしまうケースです。- ❌
The car repaired every year. - ⭕
The car is repaired every year.
be 動詞に相当する助動詞的な概念が薄いため、動詞の変化だけで受け身を表現しようとしてしまいます。- ❌
The letter is wrote by him. - ⭕
The letter is written by him.
write-wrote-written のように、3つのリズムで暗記し直すことが必要です。- ❌
The accident is happened. - ⭕
The accident happened. - ❌
The guests are arrived. - ⭕
The guests have arrived.
happen や arrive は受動態にできません。is のままにしてしまうミスです。- ❌
The reports is updated. - ⭕
The reports are updated.
is、複数なら are を選ぶ習慣をつけましょう。We make these shoes in Italy. | These shoes are made in Italy. |- Present Simple Passive:
The room is cleaned every day.（習慣・事実：毎日掃除される） - Present Continuous Passive:
The room is being cleaned now.（進行中：今、掃除されているところだ）
The store is closed. という文は、「店が（誰かによって）閉められる」という動作よりも、「店が閉まっている」という「状態」を表すことが多いです。受動態の形は、そのまま状態を表す形容詞的な役割も兼ねています。by は必ず書かなければなりませんか？by を伴わないと言われています。動作主が誰か言いたくない、あるいは言う必要がないときに受動態を使うからです。You made a mistake. と言うよりも A mistake was made.（過去形ですが）や The information is incorrectly entered.（現在形）と言うほうが、相手の面目を保つことができます。have（持っている）、resemble（似ている）、become（〜になる）などの状態を表す動詞は、目的語を持っていても受動態にできないのが一般的です。A car is had by me. とは言いません。is / are + 過去分詞 で表現する練習から始めてみましょう。Effort is rewarded!（努力は報われる！）の精神で頑張りましょう。Present Simple Passive Conjugation
| Subject | To Be (am/is/are) | Past Participle (V3) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
am
|
helped
|
I am helped by my team.
|
|
You
|
are
|
helped
|
You are helped by the guide.
|
|
He / She / It
|
is
|
helped
|
The car is helped by the mechanic.
|
|
We
|
are
|
helped
|
We are helped by the community.
|
|
They
|
are
|
helped
|
The students are helped by teachers.
|
|
The work (Singular)
|
is
|
done
|
The work is done.
|
|
The tasks (Plural)
|
are
|
done
|
The tasks are done.
|
Contractions in Passive Voice
| Full Form | Contraction | Negative Contraction |
|---|---|---|
|
I am watched
|
I'm watched
|
I'm not watched
|
|
It is watched
|
It's watched
|
It isn't watched
|
|
They are watched
|
They're watched
|
They aren't watched
|
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.
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.”
“Rice is grown in many parts of Asia.”
Scientific or Technical Processes
Used to describe how things work or how a process is completed step-by-step.
“The chemicals are mixed in a large vat.”
“The data is stored on a secure server.”
Formal Rules and Instructions
Used to state laws, rules, or general truths in a professional manner.
“Smoking is not permitted in this area.”
“Credit cards are accepted here.”
Reference Table
| 主語 (Subject) | be動詞 (Verb 'to be') | 過去分詞 (Past Participle) | 例文 (Example) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
am
|
used
|
I am used to this.
|
|
He/She/It
|
is
|
cleaned
|
The room is cleaned daily.
|
|
単数名詞 (Singular Noun)
|
is
|
made
|
Coffee is made fresh.
|
|
We/You/They
|
are
|
given
|
You are given a task.
|
|
複数名詞 (Plural Noun)
|
are
|
spoken
|
Languages are spoken here.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
The office is closed at 5:00 PM daily. (Business hours)
The office is shut at 5:00. (Business hours)
We're closed at 5:00. (Business hours)
We're done at 5:00. (Business hours)
受動態：現在形のコア
作り方
- am/is/are be動詞
- V3 過去分詞
いつ使うか
- Unknown agent 誰がやったか不明
- Unimportant agent 誰がやったか重要でない
- Objective tone フォーマルで客観的なコミュニケーション
重要なポイント
- Action focus 出来事への強調
- Object as subject 行動されるものが文の主語になる
能動態 vs. 受動態（現在形）
現在形受動態を使うべき？
行動の行為者（agent）が不明または重要ではありませんか？
一般的な真実、日常、またはプロセスを説明していますか？
客観的またはフォーマルなトーンを求めていますか？
現在形受動態の文脈
ニュース・フォーマル
- • Reports are published.
- • Rules are enforced.
プロセス・指示
- • Ingredients are mixed.
- • Food is prepared fresh.
一般的な事実
- • English is spoken here.
- • Taxes are paid annually.
非難を避ける
- • Mistakes are made.
- • The error is noted.
レベル別の例文
The room is cleaned every day.
The room is cleaned every day.
Apples are grown in this garden.
Apples are grown in this garden.
The door is locked at night.
The door is locked at night.
English is spoken here.
English is spoken here.
The mail is delivered at 9 AM.
The mail is delivered at 9 AM.
Are these shoes made in Italy?
Are these shoes made in Italy?
The trash is not collected on Sundays.
The trash is not collected on Sundays.
Many movies are filmed in London.
Many movies are filmed in London.
The website is updated every hour with new news.
The website is updated every hour with new news.
Coffee is served with a small biscuit in this cafe.
Coffee is served with a small biscuit in this cafe.
The results are sent to your email automatically.
The results are sent to your email automatically.
Is the office cleaned by a professional company?
Is the office cleaned by a professional company?
The law is strictly enforced by the local authorities.
The law is strictly enforced by the local authorities.
Large amounts of data are processed by the algorithm.
Large amounts of data are processed by the algorithm.
The museum is visited by thousands of tourists annually.
The museum is visited by thousands of tourists annually.
Is it true that the budget is approved by the board?
Is it true that the budget is approved by the board?
The nuances of the language are often lost in translation.
The nuances of the language are often lost in translation.
The proposal is viewed as a significant step forward.
The proposal is viewed as a significant step forward.
Resources are allocated based on the project's priority.
Resources are allocated based on the project's priority.
The tradition is upheld by the younger generation.
The tradition is upheld by the younger generation.
The inherent complexity of the system is mitigated by several fail-safes.
The inherent complexity of the system is mitigated by several fail-safes.
It is widely conjectured that the treaty is flawed.
It is widely conjectured that the treaty is flawed.
The narrative is constructed through a series of flashbacks.
The narrative is constructed through a series of flashbacks.
The status quo is maintained through systemic inertia.
The status quo is maintained through systemic inertia.
間違えやすい
Learners mix up 'is done' (routine) with 'is being done' (now).
Some words look like passives but are just adjectives (e.g., 'The door is broken').
Learners think every sentence with 'is' is passive.
よくある間違い
The car wash every day.
The car is washed every day.
I am call John.
I am called John.
The books is sold here.
The books are sold here.
The dinner is cook.
The dinner is cooked.
The letter is wrote.
The letter is written.
Is the homework do?
Is the homework done?
The house is cleaning.
The house is cleaned.
The coffee is make by me.
The coffee is made by me.
The news are reported.
The news is reported.
He is said that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
The problem is being solved every day.
The problem is solved every day.
The data is showed in the graph.
The data is shown in the graph.
The decision is took.
The decision is taken.
文型パターン
The ___ is ___ every day.
___ are grown in ___.
It is said that ___.
The ___ is made of ___.
Real World Usage
Your post is shared by 50 people.
The successful candidate is notified by email.
All bags are screened before boarding.
Your order is prepared by the restaurant.
New law is passed by Parliament.
Is the party cancelled?
結果に注目する
「be動詞」を忘れないで！
プロセスの説明に最適
客観的な報告
Smart Tips
Use the passive to sound more professional and less demanding.
Check if it's an action or a description. If you can add 'by someone', it's an action.
Most verbs just need -ed. If it's a common verb like 'go' or 'write', it's probably irregular.
Start every sentence with the object to keep the focus consistent.
発音
The '-ed' ending
The past participle ending '-ed' can sound like /t/, /d/, or /ɪd/.
Linking 'is'
In natural speech, 'is' often links to the following vowel.
Emphasis on the Object
The ↗MEAL is served.
Highlights that the meal (not the drink) is ready.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Remember 'BE + V3': The verb 'to BE' (am/is/are) plus the 'V3' (past participle) makes the passive for me!
視覚的連想
Imagine a factory conveyor belt. The objects (subjects) are moving along, and machines (actions) are happening to them. You don't see the workers, just the objects being transformed.
Rhyme
When the doer is unknown or out of sight, 'Is' plus 'Done' makes the sentence right!
Story
In a magical land, objects do nothing themselves. The bread is baked by fire, the water is drunk by the sun, and the songs are sung by the wind. Everything is a receiver of action.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Look around your room. Find 5 objects and say what is done to them every day (e.g., 'The bed is made', 'The window is opened').
文化メモ
The passive is very common in British English to sound polite and indirect, avoiding direct confrontation.
In universities worldwide, the passive voice is the standard for writing research papers to maintain objectivity.
Government documents use the passive to sound authoritative and impersonal.
The English passive voice evolved from Old English, where 'weorthan' (to become) was used alongside 'beon' (to be).
会話のきっかけ
How is your favorite food made?
What languages are spoken in your country?
How is the president/leader chosen in your country?
What rules are strictly enforced at your workplace?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
French ___ in Quebec.
Frenchは単数なのでisを使います。speakの過去分詞はspokenです。Find and fix the mistake:
The new rules announcing today.
rulesは複数なのでareが必要です。announceの過去分詞はannouncedです。Translate into English: 'Los pedidos se envían diariamente.'
Answer starts with: ["O...
Ordersは複数なのでareを使います。sendの過去分詞はsentです。Score: /3
練習問題
8 exercisesThe office ___ (clean) every night.
Choose the correct option:
Find and fix the mistake:
Many cars are make in Japan.
Tea ___ in India.
We use 'by' in every passive sentence.
A: Is the mail here? B: Yes, it ___ (deliver) five minutes ago.
Select the irregular one:
Active: 'Farmers grow grapes.'
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesCoffee ___ at this exact time every morning.
正しい文を選びましょう。
Many languages speak in India.
Translate into English: 'Esta puerta se cierra automáticamente.'
これらの単語を並べ替えて文を作りましょう。
主語と正しい形を合わせましょう。
Information ___ (share) via email.
正しい文はどれですか？
The news broadcast at 6 PM daily.
Translate into English: 'El inglés se enseña en nuestra escuela.'
これらの単語を並べ替えて文を作りましょう。
動詞とその過去分詞を合わせましょう。
Score: /12
よくある質問 (8)
No, you can only use it with 'transitive' verbs—verbs that take an object. You can't say 'The bed is slept' because 'sleep' doesn't have an object.
Not at all! It is very useful for formal writing and when the doer is unknown. Just don't use it for every single sentence.
Use `is made of` when you can still see the material (The table is made of wood). Use `is made from` when the material has changed (Paper is made from trees).
No. In fact, in about 80% of passive sentences, we don't use `by`. Only use it if the person's name is important information.
Just move 'am/is/are' to the front. `Is the room cleaned?` instead of `The room is cleaned.`
Yes! Just add 'not' after the verb to be. `The letters are not sent.`
It can be! If you mean someone broke it, it's passive. If you are just describing the window, 'broken' is an adjective.
Because in science, the experiment is more important than the scientist. It makes the results sound more objective.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Voz pasiva con 'ser' or 'Se' pasivo
English uses the passive voice much more frequently than Spanish in daily speech.
La voix passive
French participles change endings (e.g., mangé, mangée, mangés), while English ones don't.
Vorgangspassiv
German uses 'werden' for actions and 'sein' for states; English uses 'be' for both.
受動態 (Judōtai)
Japanese passive is often used to show that the subject is negatively affected by the action.
المبني للمجهول (Al-mabni lil-majhul)
There is no equivalent to the word 'is' or 'are' in the Arabic passive structure.
被字句 (Bèi zì jù)
The passive in Chinese often carries a negative connotation, though this is changing in modern usage.
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