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
Past Simple Passive (과거 단순 수동태)는 매우 중요한 문법 장치입니다.-되다, -받다, -당하다와 같은 피동 표현이 있지만, 영어만큼 빈번하게 사용하지는 않습니다. 예를 들어, 카페에서 '커피가 준비되었습니다'라고 할 때, 한국어는 '커피가 준비됐어요'라고 능동적인 표현을 써도 어색하지 않지만, 영어에서는 The coffee was prepared처럼 수동태를 쓰는 것이 문법적으로나 상황적으로 훨씬 자연스럽습니다. 이처럼 영어의 수동태는 사건의 객관성을 유지하거나, 행동의 주체를 밝히고 싶지 않을 때, 혹은 주어의 상태를 강조할 때 필수적인 도구입니다.Subject (주어) + Verb (동사) + Object (목적어)인 능동태입니다. 예를 들어, The manager wrote the report (매니저가 보고서를 썼다)라는 문장은 '매니저'라는 행동의 주체가 명확합니다. 하지만 수동태는 이 구조를 완전히 뒤집어 버립니다. 목적어였던 the report를 문장의 주인공(주어)으로 내세우고, 원래 주어였던 the manager는 뒤로 보내버리거나 아예 삭제합니다. 이렇게 하면 문장의 초점이 '매니저'에서 '보고서'로 이동하게 됩니다.be 동사와 past participle (과거분사, 흔히 P.P.라고 부르는 형태)를 결합하여 수동태를 만듭니다. 여기서 be 동사는 시제를 나타내고, 과거분사는 행동의 완료된 상태를 나타냅니다. 즉, 영어의 수동태는 'be 동사 + 과거분사'라는 두 단어 조합으로 이루어지는 '분석적'인 구조입니다.be 동사가 문장의 시제(과거니까 was나 were)와 주어의 수(단수/복수)에 맞춰 변해야 한다는 점을 기억하세요.Subject (수동태의 주어) + was / were + Past Participle (P.P.)입니다. 여기서 was는 주어가 단수일 때(I, he, she, it), were는 주어가 복수일 때(you, we, they) 사용합니다.The letter was sent. (편지가 보내졌다.) |The letters were sent. (편지들이 보내졌다.) |The building was built in 1990이라고 표현합니다. 여기서 built가 build의 과거분사형임을 잊지 마세요. 만약 누군가에 의해 지어졌음을 강조하고 싶다면 by를 사용하여 The building was built by a famous architect in 1990과 같이 뒤에 덧붙일 수 있습니다.- 1행동의 주체를 모를 때: 내 지갑이 도둑맞았을 때, 누가 훔쳤는지 모른다면
My wallet was stolen이라고 합니다. '누가'보다 '지갑이 도난당했다'는 사실 자체가 중요하기 때문입니다. - 2공식적인 문서나 보고서: 회사에서 회의록을 작성하거나 보고서를 쓸 때, '우리가 이 결정을 내렸다'라고 하기보다
The decision was made(결정이 내려졌다)라고 하는 것이 훨씬 객관적이고 전문적으로 들립니다. - 3행동의 대상이 중요할 때: 뉴스에서 '많은 사람들이 대피했다'고 할 때,
The town was evacuated라고 하면 대피한 장소인 '마을'에 초점이 맞춰져 상황의 심각성이 더 잘 전달됩니다. - 4책임을 회피하거나 완곡하게 말할 때: 실수했을 때 '내가 실수를 했다'고 하면 너무 직접적이죠?
Mistakes were made(실수가 있었다)라고 하면 누가 했는지 명시하지 않으면서도 상황을 인정하는 완곡한 표현이 됩니다. 한국어의 '실수가 발생했습니다'와 비슷한 뉘앙스입니다.
- 1be 동사 누락:
The report submitted yesterday.(X) 한국어에는 'be 동사'라는 개념이 없기 때문에, 단순히 과거형 동사만 쓰면 된다고 착각합니다. 반드시The report was submitted yesterday.(O)처럼was를 넣어주어야 합니다. - 2수 일치 실수:
The books was read by students.(X)books는 복수이므로was가 아닌were를 써야 합니다. 한국어는 주어의 수에 따라 동사가 변하지 않지만, 영어는 반드시 일치시켜야 합니다. - 3과거형과 과거분사 혼동:
The window was broke.(X)broke는 단순 과거형입니다. 수동태에는 반드시broken이라는 과거분사 형태를 써야 합니다.The window was broken.(O)이 맞습니다.
He broke the glass. | The glass was broken. |by는 항상 써야 하나요?by는 생략합니다. 행동의 주체가 누구인지가 중요할 때만 사용하세요.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
| 주어 | 과거 단순 수동태 형태 | 예시 문장 |
|---|---|---|
|
I
|
was + past participle
|
I `was told` about the meeting.
|
|
You (singular)
|
were + past participle
|
You `were invited` to the party.
|
|
He/She/It
|
was + past participle
|
The car `was repaired` yesterday.
|
|
We
|
were + past participle
|
We `were informed` of the changes.
|
|
You (plural)
|
were + past participle
|
You `were offered` a discount.
|
|
They
|
were + past participle
|
They `were given` clear instructions.
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
The mobile device was misappropriated. (Theft)
My phone was stolen. (Theft)
My phone got nicked. (Theft)
My blower was swiped. (Theft)
과거 단순 수동태: 한눈에 보기
구조
- was/were + Past Participle 동사 형태
사용 시점
- Unknown/Unimportant Agent 행위자가 불분명하거나 중요하지 않을 때
- Objectivity 격식 있는 어조
- Emphasis on Action/Receiver 행동 또는 받는 사람 강조
예시
- The email was sent. 이메일 발송됨
- Houses were built. 집들이 지어짐
능동태 vs. 수동태: 과거 단순
과거 단순 수동태를 사용해야 할까요?
행동을 한 사람이 불분명하거나 중요하지 않은가요?
행동이나 행동을 받은 것을 강조하고 싶나요?
격식 있는 글을 쓰고 있나요 (뉴스, 보고서)?
수동태를 위한 과거 분사
규칙 동사 (-ed)
- • cleaned
- • finished
- • started
- • developed
불규칙 동사 (자주 쓰이는)
- • broken
- • taken
- • given
- • written
- • seen
- • made
예시 문장
- • The room was cleaned.
- • The picture was taken.
- • The decision was made.
수준별 예문
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.
혼동하기 쉬운
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'.
자주 하는 실수
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.
문장 패턴
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.
행동의 '받는 사람'을 찾아보세요!
The package was delivered by mail.
너무 많이 쓰지는 마세요!
She wrote the report.
불규칙 동사 정복하기!
The glass was broken.
뉴스나 공식 보고서에서 많이 봐요!
The new law was passed.
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'.
발음
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.
암기하기
기억법
W.W.P.P. -> Was/Were + Past Participle. Remember: 'What was performed?'
시각적 연상
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
챌린지
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.')
문화 노트
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.
대화 시작하기
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?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
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
연습 문제
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
자주 묻는 질문 (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
관련 동영상
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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