B1 · Intermediate Chapter 29

The Passive Voice

7 Total Rules
73 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Shift the focus from who did the action to what happened to the object.

  • Form the passive voice using 'be' and past participles.
  • Use reporting verbs to sound objective and professional.
  • Arrange services using the 'have something done' structure.
Master the art of objective and professional English.

What You'll Learn

Ever wonder how to report news or talk about actions without naming names? This chapter will help you master the passive voice, so you can confidently use phrases like

It is said that...
and sound more natural. Get ready to add polish to your English!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Describe manufacturing processes using the Present Simple Passive.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Report rumors or general beliefs using 'It is said that...'
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Talk about historical events and completed actions using the Past Simple Passive.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to: Explain services you've arranged, like repairs or haircuts, using 'have something done'.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Mastering English the passive voice is a crucial step for B1 English grammar learners looking to communicate with greater nuance and professionalism. Often, in English, we want to talk about actions or events without necessarily focusing on *who* performed them. Perhaps the doer is unknown, unimportant, or you simply want to keep the report objective. This chapter is your comprehensive guide to understanding and using this powerful grammatical tool effectively.
You'll learn how to construct sentences where the action or the receiver of the action takes center stage, moving beyond simple active constructions. This includes describing regular habits or facts using the Present Simple Passive, like how products are manufactured. We'll also explore how to use reporting verbs such as "It is said that..." to share news or rumors objectively, focusing on the information itself rather than the speaker.
By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to confidently discuss "things happening to things," report on completed actions using the Past Simple Passive, and even integrate modal verbs to express possibility or necessity in the passive form, such as "It can be done." Get ready to add significant polish and professionalism to your English conversations and writing!

How This Grammar Works

At its heart, the passive voice shifts the focus of a sentence from the doer of an action to the receiver or the action itself. Instead of "John built the house," we might say "The house was built by John" (focus on house) or simply "The house was built" (if John is unimportant). The basic structure is: object + be (conjugated) + past participle.
Let's start with the basics. For routine actions or facts, we use the Present Simple Passive. For example, "Coffee is grown in Brazil" focuses on the coffee, not the farmer. When we want to include modal verbs to express ability, necessity, or possibility, we combine the modal with 'be' and the past participle: "The report must be submitted by Friday." Here, the report is the focus of the action, even if we don't know who submits it.
Then, there are those handy reporting verbs like 'say,' 'believe,' 'report.' These are fantastic for sharing information objectively. Instead of "People say that...", you can use "It is said that the new policy will be announced soon." This structure makes the information, not the source, the star. Similarly, for past actions where the result is more important, the Past Simple Passive comes into play: "The ancient city was discovered by archaeologists last century." Notice how "things happening to things" often leads to passive usage, like "The car was manufactured in Germany" or "The package was sent last week." It's all about emphasizing the action or the object experiencing it.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Forgetting 'be' or using the wrong form of 'be'.
✗ The car repaired yesterday.
✓ The car was repaired yesterday.
*Explanation: The auxiliary verb 'be' (is, am, are, was, were, been) is essential for forming the passive voice. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incomplete.*
  1. 1Using the base form or -ing form instead of the past participle.
✗ The decisions must be make quickly.
✓ The decisions must be made quickly.
*Explanation: The main verb in a passive construction must always be in its past participle form (third form), not the base form or -ing form.*
  1. 1Overusing the passive voice when the active is more natural.
✗ The ball was kicked by the boy. The goal was scored by him.
✓ The boy kicked the ball and scored the goal.
*Explanation: While useful, the passive voice shouldn't replace the active voice when the doer is clear and the active voice sounds more direct and engaging. Use it when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or you want objectivity.*

Real Conversations

1.

A

A

Have you heard about the new library opening?
B

B

Oh, yes! It is said that it will be opened next month. The final touches are being added now.

2.

A

A

My bike isn't working. I think the chain is broken.
B

B

That's a shame. It can be fixed, though. Maybe you should take it to a shop?
A

A

Yeah, it was bought second-hand, so it probably needs some maintenance.

3.

A

A

How was your trip to Rome?
B

B

It was amazing! The Colosseum was built thousands of years ago, and it's still so impressive. All the ancient ruins are protected by the government.

Quick FAQ

Q

When should I use the passive voice in English?

You should use the passive voice when the action itself or the receiver of the action is more important than the person or thing performing it. It’s also great for being objective, formal, or when the doer is unknown, as in "The window was broken."

Q

What's the main difference between active and passive voice?

In the active voice, the subject *performs* the action (e.g., "The chef cooks the meal"). In the passive voice, the subject *receives* the action (e.g., "The meal is cooked by the chef"). The focus of the sentence changes!

Q

How do I form the passive voice in English?

The basic structure for the passive voice is "to be" verb (conjugated) + past participle of the main verb. For example, for "write," it becomes "is written" (Present Simple), "was written" (Past Simple), or "will be written" (Future Simple).

Q

Is the passive voice always formal?

Not always, but it does tend to sound more formal or academic, especially reporting passive structures like "It is believed that...". However, it's also common in everyday speech when the doer is irrelevant or obvious, like "My car was stolen" or "Dinner is being prepared."

Cultural Context

Native English speakers use the passive voice frequently, often unconsciously, especially in formal writing like news reports, scientific papers, or official announcements. Think "The new law was passed yesterday" or "Experiments are conducted carefully." In everyday informal conversation, it's also common when the doer is obvious or unimportant, for example, "My phone was stolen!" or "Dinner is being prepared." While regional differences might affect specific vocabulary, the core uses of the passive voice remain consistent across most English-speaking regions.

Key Examples (8)

1

English is spoken in many countries.

The Passive Voice: Focus on Actions (Present Simple Passive)
2

New products are launched every season.

The Passive Voice: Focus on Actions (Present Simple Passive)
3

The email `can be sent` to all participants after the final review.

Passive Voice with Modals: It Can Be Done
4

Important announcements `should be posted` on the student portal regularly.

Passive Voice with Modals: It Can Be Done
5

It is said that the new movie is fantastic; everyone's talking about it on TikTok.

Passive Voice: Reporting Verbs (It is said that...)
6

The CEO is expected to announce significant changes during the Zoom meeting tomorrow.

Passive Voice: Reporting Verbs (It is said that...)
7

It is said that the new coffee shop has the best matcha lattes.

Passive Voice for Objectivity: 'It is said that...'
8

She is believed to be one of the most innovative programmers on the team.

Passive Voice for Objectivity: 'It is said that...'

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

The 'By' Rule

Only use 'by' if the person adds new, important information. 'The phone is fixed' is better than 'The phone is fixed by a phone fixer'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Passive Voice: Focus on Actions (Present Simple Passive)
🎯

The 'By' Test

If you can add 'by zombies' to the end of your sentence and it still makes sense grammatically, it's a passive sentence! (e.g., 'The door must be opened... by zombies.')
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice with Modals: It Can Be Done
🎯

The 'Distance' Trick

Use this when you want to disagree with someone politely. Instead of 'You are wrong', say 'It is thought by some that your approach might have issues'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice: Reporting Verbs (It is said that...)
💡

The News Anchor Test

If you aren't sure if 'It is said that' sounds right, imagine a news anchor saying it. If it sounds natural on the news, it's probably correct!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice for Objectivity: 'It is said that...'

Key Vocabulary (6)

manufacture to make something on a large scale using machinery rumor a story or statement in general circulation without confirmation service to maintain or repair a vehicle or machine claim to state that something is the case, typically without proof deliver to bring and hand over a letter, package, or goods renovate to restore something old to a good state of repair

Real-World Preview

tv

At the Local News Station

heart

Getting Ready for a Wedding

Review Summary

  • Subject + am/is/are + Past Participle
  • Subject + was/were + Past Participle
  • Subject + have + object + Past Participle

Common Mistakes

Many learners forget the verb 'to be'. Without 'was' or 'is', it's just a participle, not a full passive verb.

Wrong: The cake made by my mom.
Correct: The cake was made by my mom.

If you say 'I had cut my hair', it means you did it yourself (Past Perfect). Use 'have + object + participle' for services.

Wrong: I had cut my hair.
Correct: I had my hair cut.

Reporting verbs in the passive must always be in the past participle form (said, thought, believed), not the base form.

Wrong: It is say that he is a hero.
Correct: It is said that he is a hero.

Rules in This Chapter (7)

1

The Passive Voice: Focus on Actions (Present Simple Passive)

B1
Mastering the Present Simple Passive makes your English more precise, especially when the 'who' isn't important.
English is spoken in many countries.
10 examples
2

Passive Voice with Modals: It Can Be Done

B1
Discuss possibilities, necessities, and obligations effortlessly by combining modals with the passive voice.
The email `can be sent` to all participants after...
12 examples
3

Passive Voice: Reporting Verbs (It is said that...)

B1
Mastering passive reporting verbs makes your English sound more formal, objective, and nuanced.
It is said that the new movie is fantastic; everyo...
12 examples
4

Passive Voice for Objectivity: 'It is said that...'

B1
Master the passive for reporting to sound objective and polished, just like a news anchor!
It is said that the new coffee shop has the best m...
12 examples
5

Passive Voice: Things happening to things (is made, was sent)

B1
Mastering the passive voice makes your English more flexible and expressive, especially when focusing on actions.
The new university building is being constructed r...
12 examples
6

Past Simple Passive: Completed Actions (was/were done)

B1
Master the Past Simple Passive to shift focus from doer to receiver and sound more natural.
The email `was sent` this morning.
10 examples
7

Have Something Done: Arranging for Someone Else to Do It

B1
Have something done means you arrange for someone else to do something for you. Structure: have + object + past participle. It is NOT the same as doing it yourself.
5 examples

Next Steps

You've just leveled up your English significantly! The passive voice is a hallmark of the B1 level. Keep practicing, and you'll be sounding like a native speaker in no time.

Read a news article and highlight every passive sentence you find.

Describe your morning routine as a process: 'The coffee is brewed, the mail is checked...'

Continue to: The Second Conditional

Quick Practice (10)

Which sentence is the most formal?

Choose the best option for an academic essay.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is thought that the results are incorrect.
The impersonal passive is the standard for formal academic writing.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice for Objectivity: 'It is said that...'

Fill in the correct form of 'have'.

I ___ my car washed yesterday.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: had
Yesterday indicates past tense.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Have Something Done: Arranging for Someone Else to Do It

Find the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

I had my house paint.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I had my house painted.
Need past participle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Have Something Done: Arranging for Someone Else to Do It

Choose the correct passive sentence.

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The pyramids were built by Egyptians.
'Pyramids' is plural (were) and 'built' is the correct V3.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Simple Passive: Completed Actions (was/were done)

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the passive voice (Past Simple).

The Mona Lisa ___ (paint) by Leonardo da Vinci.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: was painted
Mona Lisa is singular, and the action happened in the past.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice: Things happening to things (is made, was sent)

Complete the sentence with the correct passive form of 'believe'.

It ___ that the Earth was flat.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: was believed
The context is historical, so we use the past tense 'was'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice: Reporting Verbs (It is said that...)

Find the mistake in this sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Many cars are make in Japan.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: make
The past participle of 'make' is 'made'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Passive Voice: Focus on Actions (Present Simple Passive)

Find the mistake in this sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

The secret should not be tell to anyone.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tell
The past participle of 'tell' is 'told'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice with Modals: It Can Be Done

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the Past Simple Passive.

The letter ___ (post) yesterday morning.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: was posted
We use 'was' for singular (letter) and the past participle 'posted'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Past Simple Passive: Completed Actions (was/were done)

Find the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

Is said that the movie is very long.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Is said
It should be 'It is said'. Every English sentence needs a subject.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice: Reporting Verbs (It is said that...)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

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.
Yes, in informal English you can say 'It might get done,' but 'be' is much more common and safer for B1 learners.
English doesn't allow two modals together. You can't say 'It might can be done.' Use 'It might be possible to do it' instead.
You can! But 'It is said' is more formal and objective. It's better for writing.
No, only verbs of thinking (believe, think), saying (report, claim), or knowing (know, understand).
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Mastering Perfect Tenses
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The Second Conditional
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