Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The passive voice shifts focus from the person doing the action to the person or thing receiving the action.
- Use 'be' + past participle: 'The cake was eaten' (max 20 words)
- The object of the active sentence becomes the subject (max 20 words)
- Use 'by' only if the doer is important: 'by Shakespeare' (max 20 words)
Overview
passive voice(수동태)는 문장의 초점을 '누가 그 행동을 했는가(행위자)'에서 '무엇이 그 행동을 받았는가(대상)'로 옮기는 아주 중요한 문법 장치입니다. 한국어 화자들에게 이 개념이 중요한 이유는 한국어와 영어의 문장 구조 차이 때문입니다. 한국어는 주어 중심의 언어라기보다 상황 중심의 언어에 가까워서, 주어를 생략하거나 목적어를 강조하는 것이 매우 자연스럽습니다. 반면 영어는 주어의 위치가 문장에서 가장 강력한 힘을 가지며, 주어를 무엇으로 설정하느냐에 따라 문장의 의미와 강조점이 완전히 달라집니다.passive voice는 단순히 동사를 바꾸는 것을 넘어, 문장의 구조 자체를 재배치하는 작업입니다.passive voice의 핵심은 문장의 subject(주어)와 object(목적어)의 자리를 바꾸는 것입니다. 능동태 문장인 The chef cooked the meal에서 the chef는 행동의 주체이고 the meal은 대상입니다. 이를 수동태로 바꾸면 The meal was cooked by the chef가 됩니다.the meal이 문장의 주인공인 subject가 되어 문장 맨 앞으로 나옵니다. 이때 동사는 be 동사 + past participle(과거분사)의 형태로 변합니다.be 동사를 시제와 수에 맞춰 변화시켜야 합니다. 한국어는 '먹히다', '만들어지다'처럼 동사 끝만 바꾸면 되지만, 영어는 is/are/was/were라는 보조 장치를 반드시 챙겨야 한다는 점이 한국인 학습자에게는 가장 큰 난관입니다. 하지만 이 구조를 이해하면 '내가 한 일'보다 '일어난 결과'를 강조하는 세련된 화법을 구사할 수 있게 됩니다.Subject + be + Past Participle + (by + Agent)입니다. 여기서 Agent는 행동을 한 사람인데, 생략되는 경우가 훨씬 많습니다. 아래 표를 통해 시제별 변화를 확인해 보세요.past participle입니다. 규칙 동사는 -ed를 붙이면 되지만, write-written, make-made, see-seen 같은 불규칙 동사는 반드시 암기해야 합니다. 한국어 학습자들이 자주 하는 실수는 The room cleaned처럼 be 동사를 빼먹는 것입니다. 영어에서는 be 동사가 없으면 수동태가 성립하지 않음을 항상 기억하세요.- 1행위자가 중요하지 않거나 모를 때: 카페에서 '커피가 만들어졌어요'라고 할 때, 누가 만들었는지는 중요하지 않습니다.
The coffee was made라고 하면 충분합니다. 한국어의 '커피 나왔습니다'와 비슷한 뉘앙스입니다. - 2객관적인 사실을 전달할 때: 회사 보고서나 뉴스에서는 주관을 배제합니다.
We conducted the survey보다는The survey was conducted가 훨씬 전문적으로 들립니다. 한국의 격식 있는 비즈니스 메일에서 '검토 부탁드립니다'를 쓸 때와 비슷하게, 행동 자체에 집중하는 것입니다. - 3강조하고 싶은 대상이 목적어일 때: '그 신제품을 어제 출시했다'보다 '그 신제품은 어제 출시되었다'라고 하면 '그 신제품'에 더 큰 무게감이 실립니다. 한국어에서도 목적어를 문장 앞으로 도치하는 것과 같은 강조 효과입니다.
- 4피해를 강조할 때: '내 지갑을 누군가 훔쳐갔다'보다 '내 지갑이 도난당했다'가 피해 사실을 더 명확히 드러냅니다.
My wallet was stolen처럼 사용합니다.
- 1
be동사 생략: 가장 흔한 실수입니다. 한국어에는 '이다/있다'가 동사 변화에 포함되지 않기 때문에,The cake made by mom이라고 쓰기 쉽습니다. 하지만 영어에서는The cake was made라고was를 꼭 써야 합니다. - 2자동사의 수동태화:
happen,arrive,occur같은 자동사는 수동태가 불가능합니다. '사고가 일어났다'를The accident was happened라고 쓰는 경우가 많습니다. 한국어로는 '일어남을 당했다'가 어색하듯, 영어에서도 자동사는 수동으로 쓰지 않습니다. - 3시제 불일치:
The emails was sent와 같이 주어와be동사의 수를 맞추지 않는 실수입니다. 한국어는 주어의 수에 따라 서술어가 변하지 않기 때문에,emails가 복수임에도was를 쓰는 실수가 자주 발생합니다. 항상 주어가 단수인지 복수인지 먼저 확인하는 습관을 들이세요.
I finished the project. |The project was finished. |The project is finished. (완료된 상태) |The project was finished는 '완료되었다'는 동작의 수동을 의미하고, The project is finished는 '프로젝트가 끝난 상태이다'라는 형용사적 의미가 강합니다. 한국어 학습자들은 이 미묘한 차이를 구분하는 것을 어려워하지만, 문맥상 '과정'을 말하는지 '상태'를 말하는지 생각하면 쉽습니다.- 1Q:
by는 꼭 써야 하나요?
by를 남발하면 문장이 어색해집니다.- 1Q: 모든 문장을 수동태로 바꿔도 되나요?
- 1Q: 불규칙 동사 과거분사는 어떻게 외우나요?
made, seen, written 같은 단어들은 문장 속에서 반복적으로 접하며 익히는 것이 가장 빠릅니다.2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
is not
|
isn't
|
The car isn't washed.
|
|
are not
|
aren't
|
The cars aren't washed.
|
|
was not
|
wasn't
|
The car wasn't washed.
|
|
were not
|
weren't
|
The cars weren't washed.
|
Passive Voice Tense Formation
| Tense | Subject | To Be | Past Participle | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
The car
|
is
|
washed
|
The car is washed.
|
|
Present Simple
|
The cars
|
are
|
washed
|
The cars are washed.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The car
|
was
|
washed
|
The car was washed.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The cars
|
were
|
washed
|
The cars were washed.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
The car
|
is being
|
washed
|
The car is being washed.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
The car
|
has been
|
washed
|
The car has been washed.
|
|
Future (Will)
|
The car
|
will be
|
washed
|
The car will be washed.
|
|
Modals
|
The car
|
must be
|
washed
|
The car must be washed.
|
Meanings
A grammatical construction where the subject is the recipient of the action rather than the performer.
Unknown Agent
Used when we don't know who performed the action.
“My bike was stolen last night.”
“The window was broken while I was out.”
Obvious Agent
Used when the performer of the action is so obvious it doesn't need mentioning.
“The thief was arrested.”
“The crops are harvested in autumn.”
Formal/Scientific Objectivity
Used to sound objective and professional by removing the 'I' or 'We'.
“The chemicals were mixed in a beaker.”
“The results were analyzed carefully.”
Reference Table
| 시제 | 주어 | 'be' 동사 | 과거분사 | 예문 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
The report
|
is
|
written
|
The report *is written* daily.
|
|
Present Simple
|
These apps
|
are
|
downloaded
|
These apps *are downloaded* by millions.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The message
|
was
|
sent
|
The message *was sent* an hour ago.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The decisions
|
were
|
made
|
The decisions *were made* quickly.
|
|
Present Simple
|
My coffee
|
is
|
brewed
|
My coffee *is brewed* fresh every morning.
|
|
Past Simple
|
Our car
|
was
|
repaired
|
Our car *was repaired* by a local mechanic.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
The requested documentation has been processed. (Workplace)
The paperwork was finished this morning. (Workplace)
The forms are all done. (Workplace)
It's all sorted, mate. (Workplace)
수동태: 사물이 당하는 일
형성
- 'to be' verb e.g., is, are, was, were
- Past Participle e.g., written, made, sent
- Optional 'by' 누가 했는지
언제 사용할까
- Doer Unknown e.g., My wallet was stolen.
- Doer Unimportant e.g., The road is being repaired.
- Focus on Action e.g., News was reported.
- Formal Contexts e.g., Rules are enforced.
흔한 실수
- Missing 'be' e.g., 'The book read.'
- Wrong 'be' form e.g., 'They was told.'
- Wrong Verb Form e.g., 'The cake was ate.'
능동태 vs. 수동태
수동태를 써야 할까?
행동의 '행위자'가 알려져 있고 중요한가요?
행동이나 행동을 받는 대상에 초점을 맞추고 싶으신가요?
수동태 활용 상황
뉴스 및 보도
- • 'It was reported that...'
- • 발견이 이루어지다
- • 행사가 발표되다
과정 및 지침
- • 재료가 섞이다
- • 단계가 따르다
- • 제품이 제조되다
행위자를 모르거나 중요하지 않을 때
- • My keys were found.
- • Mistakes were made.
- • The window was broken.
외교 및 객관성
- • Decisions were taken.
- • 문제가 다뤄지다
- • 정책이 개발되다
수준별 예문
The car is washed.
The car is washed.
The pizza is eaten.
The pizza is eaten.
The windows are closed.
The windows are closed.
The book was lost.
The book was lost.
The house was built in 2010.
The house was built in 2010.
These shoes are made in Italy.
These shoes are made in Italy.
The thief was caught by the police.
The thief was caught by the police.
Was the homework finished?
Was the homework finished?
The application was rejected because it was late.
The application was rejected because it was late.
The meeting is held in the main hall every Friday.
The meeting is held in the main hall every Friday.
Many languages are spoken in this city.
Many languages are spoken in this city.
The bridge was damaged during the storm.
The bridge was damaged during the storm.
The suspect is being questioned by the detectives now.
The suspect is being questioned by the detectives now.
The project should have been completed last week.
The project should have been completed last week.
It is believed that the company is facing bankruptcy.
It is believed that the company is facing bankruptcy.
The data was collected over a six-month period.
The data was collected over a six-month period.
The decision was made with the utmost care.
The decision was made with the utmost care.
Rarely is such a discovery made in this field.
Rarely is such a discovery made in this field.
The building is said to be haunted.
The building is said to be haunted.
He was given a standing ovation after his speech.
He was given a standing ovation after his speech.
The proposal was met with considerable skepticism.
The proposal was met with considerable skepticism.
Provision was made for the possibility of a delay.
Provision was made for the possibility of a delay.
The artifacts are thought to have been smuggled out of the country.
The artifacts are thought to have been smuggled out of the country.
No effort was spared in the search for survivors.
No effort was spared in the search for survivors.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners confuse 'The window was broken (by someone)' with 'The window was broken (state/adjective)'.
Learners confuse 'is done' with 'has done'.
Some verbs look active but feel passive, like 'The book sells well'.
자주 하는 실수
The cake eaten.
The cake was eaten.
The car is wash.
The car is washed.
I was borned in London.
I was born in London.
The window broke by me.
The window was broken by me.
The letters was sent.
The letters were sent.
The book written by him.
The book was written by him.
Is the dinner cook?
Is the dinner cooked?
The house was builded in 1990.
The house was built in 1990.
It was happened yesterday.
It happened yesterday.
The work is being do.
The work is being done.
The car was got stolen.
The car was stolen / The car got stolen.
He is said to have been went.
He is said to have gone.
The problem was explained me.
The problem was explained to me.
문장 패턴
The ___ was ___ in ___.
___ are ___ every day.
It is ___ that ___.
The ___ hasn't been ___ yet.
Real World Usage
Thousands of homes destroyed by flood.
Made in Vietnam. Batteries not included.
The flight has been delayed.
The eggs are beaten until fluffy.
I was given the 'Employee of the Month' award.
My bike got stolen! :(
숨은 'be' 동사 찾기!
The letter was written.
과거분사를 잊지 마세요!
The cake was eaten.
능동태 vs. 수동태 테스트
The report was submitted.(Passive) vs.
I submitted the report.(Active)
상황이 제일 중요해요!
News was reported. (Formal) vs. He told me the news.(Informal)
누가 주인공인가요?
The car was repaired.(Focus on car) vs.
The mechanic repaired the car.(Focus on mechanic)
Smart Tips
Use the passive to avoid sounding like you are blaming someone.
Check if it's an adjective or a passive verb by trying to add 'by someone'.
Don't say 'Someone...'. Use the passive voice instead.
Use the present simple passive to focus on the steps.
발음
Stress on Participle
In passive sentences, the main stress usually falls on the past participle, not the 'be' verb.
Weak 'was'
The word 'was' is usually unstressed and pronounced as /wəz/.
Falling intonation for statements
The bridge was built in 1890. ↘
Conveys a completed fact.
암기하기
기억법
BE + V3 = Passive for me! (Be verb + Past Participle).
시각적 연상
Imagine a robot being built in a factory. We don't see the workers, only the robot (the object) moving through the stages of being 'made', 'painted', and 'shipped'.
Rhyme
When the doer is a mystery, use the passive for history!
Story
A man wakes up and finds his car is gone. He tells the police, 'My car was stolen!' He doesn't say 'A thief stole it' because he didn't see the thief. The car is the star of his story.
Word Web
챌린지
Look around your room. Find 5 things and say how they were made or where they were bought using the passive voice (e.g., 'This lamp was bought in IKEA').
문화 노트
The passive voice is the 'bread and butter' of news. It allows reporters to remain neutral and avoid blaming individuals before a trial.
In Western universities, using 'I' in a science paper is often discouraged. The passive voice is used to make the research seem universal and objective.
Contracts use the passive to define obligations without naming specific employees, focusing on the company as an entity.
The English passive voice evolved from Old English, which used 'weorthan' (to become) or 'beon' (to be) with a participle.
대화 시작하기
Where was your favorite piece of clothing made?
Have you ever had something stolen?
What is a famous building in your city? When was it built?
How are traditional holidays celebrated in your country?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
The new update ___ on all devices yesterday afternoon.
Find and fix the mistake:
The message send to everyone in the group chat.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /4
연습 문제
8 exercisesThe Mona Lisa ___ (paint) by Leonardo da Vinci.
Choose the correct option:
Find and fix the mistake:
The windows are clean every Saturday.
Passive form:
You can use the passive voice with the verb 'to sleep'.
A: Why is the road closed? B: An accident ___ (report) ten minutes ago.
Which of these is passive?
Write -> ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesAll assignments ___ online by midnight on Sunday.
The latest episode released last night.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Das Museum wird gerade renoviert.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the subjects with the correct passive verb forms:
The data ___ carefully analyzed before making a decision.
Many applications submitted for the new role.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Neue Produkte werden oft in sozialen Medien beworben.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the beginnings with their correct endings:
Score: /12
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Avoid it when the 'doer' is important or when you want to be direct and energetic. 'I love you' is much better than 'You are loved by me'!
No! In fact, we omit 'by' in about 80% of passive sentences because the doer is unknown or obvious.
'Was broken' is standard and neutral. 'Got broken' is informal and often implies the event was accidental or unfortunate.
Yes! Use 'will be' + V3. For example: 'The results will be published tomorrow.'
No, but overusing it can make writing sound dry or evasive. Use it when the focus truly belongs on the object.
Swap the subject and the 'be' verb. 'The car was fixed' becomes 'Was the car fixed?'
Only transitive verbs (verbs that take an object) can be passive. You can't say 'The bed was slept' because 'sleep' doesn't have an object.
Yes! In English, being born is something that happens to you, so we always use the passive form.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Voz pasiva (ser + participio) / Pasiva refleja (se)
English uses the passive much more frequently than Spanish in everyday speech.
La voix passive (être + participe passé)
French participles change endings (e.g., mangé vs mangée); English ones never do.
Passiv (werden + Partizip II)
German uses 'become' (werden) as the auxiliary, while English uses 'be'.
受身 (ukemi)
Japanese uses a suffix on the main verb; English uses an auxiliary verb.
المبني للمجهول (al-mabni lil-majhul)
Arabic uses vowel shifts within the verb; English uses 'be' + V3.
被字句 (bèi zì jù)
Chinese 'bèi' is a particle, not a verb conjugation, and often carries a negative connotation.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
관련 동영상
04:41 “The Minister of Loneliness” | Sarah Kay | TED
05:57 The infamous JoJo thought experiment - Michael Vazquez and Sarah Stroud
06:27 Was Alexander the Great really that great? - Stephanie Honchell Smith
How to use the Passive Voice 😅 English Grammar Lesson
mmmEnglish
PASSIVE VOICE - English Grammar step-by-step
Arnel's Everyday English
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