English Passive Voice: What happens to things (Present Simple Passive)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The passive voice shifts the focus from 'who did it' to 'what happened' to the object.
- Use 'am/is/are' + the past participle (V3) of the main verb. Example: 'The mail is delivered.'
- The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. Example: 'I eat apples' becomes 'Apples are eaten.'
- Use 'by' only if the person doing the action is actually important. Example: 'The book is written by J.K. Rowling.'
Overview
This tells us what happens to a thing. We care about the thing, not who does it. Sometimes we do not know who does the action.
This is good for news and work reports. It makes the action look important. For example, say 'Mail is delivered daily' instead of the person.
How This Grammar Works
Formation Pattern
am is used with I (e.g., I am told).
I | am | I am given a raise. |
You | are | You are taught French. |
He/She/It | is | He is known for his honesty. |
We | are | We are informed weekly. |
They | are | They are admired by many. |
The car | is | The car is serviced every year. |
The report is not submitted on time. (or isn't submitted)
These tasks are not completed daily. (or aren't completed)
Is the report submitted on time?
Are these tasks completed daily?
Wh- words: Where is the car manufactured? (Where is it manufactured?)
When To Use It
- 1When the Agent (Doer) is Unknown or Unimportant: This is perhaps the most common reason for using the passive voice. If you genuinely don't know who performed an action, or if the identity of the agent is irrelevant to the message, the passive voice allows you to focus on the action or its recipient.
My phone was found in the library.(The identity of the person who found it is not the main point.)New products are launched every quarter.(The specific marketing team responsible is less important than the regularity of the launches.)The door is painted green.(Who painted it doesn't matter; the state of the door is the focus.)
- 1When the Agent is Obvious from the Context: Sometimes, everyone already understands who performs a certain action, making it redundant to specify the agent. In such cases, omitting the
byphrase makes your language more concise and natural.
Patients are examined.(It's understood that doctors or medical professionals examine patients.)The road is repaired annually.(It's understood that a municipal or government body is responsible for road repair.)Taxes are collected every fiscal year.(The government is the obvious collector.)
- 1To Emphasize the Action or the Receiver: By moving the object of the active sentence to the subject position, the passive voice brings it to the forefront of the sentence, giving it greater prominence. This is particularly useful in formal, scientific, or academic writing where objectivity and the subject matter itself are prioritized over individual agents.
Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen.(The focus is on the chemical composition of water, not the entity that 'composed' it.)The award is given for outstanding contributions.(Emphasis on the award and the criteria, not the awarding body.)Critical decisions are made at the executive level.(This highlights the decisions and the level where they occur.)
- 1In Instructions, Processes, or Descriptions: When describing how something is done or made, especially in technical manuals, recipes, or scientific procedures, the passive voice maintains a consistent focus on the steps and materials, creating a sense of impartiality.
First, the ingredients are mixed thoroughly.Then, the solution is heated to 100 degrees Celsius.This software is updated regularly to improve performance.
- 1Reporting News, Rumors, or General Beliefs: In journalism or when discussing widely held opinions, the passive voice allows reporters to convey information without attributing it to a specific source, especially if the source is unofficial or not yet confirmed. It creates a sense of detachment.
It is believed that the new policy will be announced soon.The suspect is thought to have fled the country.Reports are filed concerning the incident.
Common Mistakes
- 1Omitting the Auxiliary
beVerb: This is arguably the most frequent mistake. A passive construction is incomplete and grammatically incorrect without theam,is, orareverb.
- Incorrect:
The building constructed in 1950. - Correct:
The building is constructed in 1950.(This refers to its architectural style or current state, implying its construction was completed in 1950 and it stands as such.) - Incorrect:
My car repaired every year. - Correct:
My car is repaired every year.
- 1Using the Base Form or
-ingForm Instead of the Past Participle (V3): The passive voice strictly requires the past participle. Using any other verb form is a fundamental error.
- Incorrect:
New ideas are develop constantly.(developis the base form.) - Correct:
New ideas are developed constantly. - Incorrect:
The decision is making by the committee.(makingis the present participle.) - Correct:
The decision is made by the committee.
- 1Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement with
be: The auxiliarybeverb must always agree with the new subject of the passive sentence, not the original agent. Remember to check if the new subject is singular or plural.
- Incorrect:
The students is taught by a new teacher.(studentsis plural, soisis wrong.) - Correct:
The students are taught by a new teacher. - Incorrect:
The information are updated daily.(informationis an uncountable noun, treated as singular.) - Correct:
The information is updated daily.
- 1Attempting to Form Passive with Intransitive Verbs: Only transitive verbs (those that take a direct object) can form a passive voice. Intransitive verbs, which describe an action that does not pass to an object, cannot be made passive. Their meaning does not allow for a receiver of the action to become a subject.
- Incorrect:
The sun is risen early.(riseis intransitive. The correct active sentence isThe sun rises early.) - Incorrect:
A mistake is happened.(happenis intransitive. The correct active sentence isA mistake happens.orA mistake occurred.) - Incorrect:
They are arrived.(arriveis intransitive. The correct sentence would beThey have arrived.orThey arrive at 5 PM.)
- 1Overusing the Passive Voice: While important, excessive use of the passive voice can make your writing sound stiff, overly formal, evasive, or unclear, especially in contexts where directness is valued. Active voice is generally more dynamic and easier to understand.
- Less effective passive:
A report is written by me every week. - More effective active:
I write a report every week. - Less effective passive:
The problem was identified.(Who identified it? This phrasing can obscure responsibility.) - More effective active (if agent known):
The team identified the problem.
- 1Confusing Present Simple Passive with Present Perfect Active: The structure
Subject + has/have + been + V3is the Present Perfect Passive, andSubject + has/have + V3is the Present Perfect Active. These are distinct from the Present Simple Passive.
The report is written weekly.(Present Simple Passive - habitual action)The report has been written already.(Present Perfect Passive - action completed with present relevance)He has written the report.(Present Perfect Active - agent completed action)
Real Conversations
The Present Simple Passive is not confined to formal writing; it appears frequently in everyday conversation, news, and digital communication, reflecting the various reasons for its use.
Casual Conversation/Texting:
-
2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Short Form |
|---|---|
|
is not
|
isn't
|
|
are not
|
aren't
|
|
am not
|
(no contraction)
|
Present Simple Passive Formation
| Subject | To Be | Past Participle (V3) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
am
|
invited
|
I am invited to the party.
|
|
You / We / They
|
are
|
invited
|
They are invited to the party.
|
|
He / She / It
|
is
|
invited
|
It is invited to the party.
|
|
Singular Noun (The car)
|
is
|
washed
|
The car is washed.
|
|
Plural Noun (The cars)
|
are
|
washed
|
The cars are washed.
|
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.
General Facts & Processes
Used to describe how things are made, where they come from, or general truths where the 'doer' is obvious or irrelevant.
“Paper is made from wood.”
“The museum is visited by thousands of people every day.”
Formal Instructions & Rules
Used to state rules or procedures in a formal or objective way.
“Smoking is not allowed in the building.”
“ID cards are required for entry.”
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.”
“My car is serviced every six months.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + am/is/are + V3
|
The room is cleaned.
|
|
Negative
|
Subj + am/is/are + not + V3
|
The room isn't cleaned.
|
|
Question
|
Am/Is/Are + Subj + V3?
|
Is the room cleaned?
|
|
Short Answer (+)
|
Yes, + Subj + am/is/are
|
Yes, it is.
|
|
Short Answer (-)
|
No, + Subj + am/is/are + not
|
No, it isn't.
|
|
Wh- Question
|
Wh- + am/is/are + Subj + V3?
|
When is the room cleaned?
|
Formality Spectrum
The premises are cleaned on a daily basis. (Workplace maintenance)
The office is cleaned every day. (Workplace maintenance)
The place gets cleaned daily. (Workplace maintenance)
The spot is done up every day. (Workplace maintenance)
Active vs. Passive Focus
Active
- The Cleaner Focus on WHO
Passive
- The Room Focus on WHAT
Sentence Flip
Should I use Passive?
Do I know who did it?
Is the object more important?
Common Passive Verbs
Manufacturing
- • made
- • produced
- • built
Communication
- • spoken
- • written
- • told
Services
- • cleaned
- • delivered
- • repaired
Examples by Level
English is spoken here.
The cars are made in Japan.
Is breakfast served at 8?
The trash is collected on Monday.
The website is updated every day.
Are these shoes made of leather?
The office isn't cleaned on Sundays.
Many movies are filmed in London.
The data is stored on a secure server.
The winner is chosen by a panel of judges.
How is this word pronounced?
The animals are fed twice a day.
The results are analyzed using statistical software.
It is estimated that 20% of energy is wasted.
The law is strictly enforced in this city.
The project is managed by the local council.
The proposal is widely regarded as a breakthrough.
Access is restricted to authorized personnel only.
The nuance is often lost in translation.
The budget is allocated based on performance.
The narrative is underpinned by a sense of loss.
It is often contended that progress is inevitable.
The system is designed to be self-correcting.
The distinction is frequently blurred in practice.
Easily Confused
Learners often use 'is' when they should use 'was' for past events.
Some words look like participles but are actually adjectives (e.g., 'The door is closed').
Mixing up Present Continuous and Present Passive.
Common Mistakes
The car made in Germany.
The car is made in Germany.
English speak here.
English is spoken here.
The apples is eaten.
The apples are eaten.
I am invite to the party.
I am invited to the party.
The letter is wrote.
The letter is written.
Is the work finish?
Is the work finished?
The house is builded.
The house is built.
The accident is happened.
The accident happened.
He is said that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
The dinner is being serve.
The dinner is being served.
The problem is solved by itself.
The problem is solved.
Sentence Patterns
___ is made of ___.
___ are grown in ___.
It is said that ___.
___ is strictly prohibited in ___.
Real World Usage
The victim is taken to the hospital.
The sample is placed in a vacuum.
The mixture is stirred until smooth.
Made in Vietnam.
Passengers are requested to remain seated.
Obsessed with coffee. Based in NYC.
The Zombie Test
Don't Overdo It
Check the Participle
Politeness
Smart Tips
Look for the 'Be' verb + 'V3'. If both are there, it's passive.
Use the passive to avoid blaming someone directly.
Use the passive to keep the focus on the product, not the person cooking.
Always double-check the V3 form. It's the most common place for errors.
Pronunciation
Linking 'is' and 'are'
In the passive, 'is' and 'are' often link to the following participle.
Reduced 'are'
The word 'are' is often reduced to a schwa sound /ə/ in natural speech.
Emphasis on the Participle
The book is WRITTEN, not read.
Emphasizing the specific action being done.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember 'B-P': Be + Participle. If there's no 'Be', it's not Passive!
Visual Association
Imagine a factory conveyor belt. The products (objects) are moving along, and things are being done to them by invisible hands. The focus is on the product, not the workers.
Rhyme
When the doer is a mystery, use 'is' and 'are' with V3!
Story
A mysterious detective arrives at a crime scene. He doesn't say 'Someone stole the jewels.' He says 'The jewels are stolen.' He doesn't say 'Someone broke the window.' He says 'The window is broken.' He focuses on the clues, not the unknown thief.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room. Find 5 things and say how they are used or where they are made (e.g., 'My phone is made in China', 'The light is turned on').
Cultural Notes
The passive is very common in British English to sound polite and indirect, avoiding blaming someone directly.
In scientific and academic circles, the passive is the standard to show objectivity and focus on the experiment, not the scientist.
Laws and regulations almost exclusively use the passive to create a sense of universal application.
The English passive voice evolved from Old English, which used the verbs 'weorthan' (to become) and 'beon' (to be) with a past participle.
Conversation Starters
Where is your phone made?
How is your favorite traditional dish prepared?
What rules are strictly enforced in your city?
How is the news reported in your country?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
The mail ___ (deliver) every morning at 9 AM.
Which sentence is in the Present Simple Passive?
Find and fix the mistake:
The books is written by a famous author.
Spanish ___ in Mexico.
We use the passive voice when the person doing the action is the most important part of the sentence.
A: Is the office open on Saturdays? B: No, the doors ___.
Choose the intransitive verb.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesThe mail ___ (deliver) every morning at 9 AM.
Which sentence is in the Present Simple Passive?
Find and fix the mistake:
The books is written by a famous author.
Spanish ___ in Mexico.
We use the passive voice when the person doing the action is the most important part of the sentence.
A: Is the office open on Saturdays? B: No, the doors ___.
Choose the intransitive verb.
1. They grow rice. 2. They sell rice. 3. They cook rice.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesFresh bread ___ every morning at the bakery.
The news broadcast at 7 PM.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'This email is sent to all employees.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the subjects with the correct form:
The rules ___ strictly followed in this institution.
Many historical documents is kept in the museum.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'This song is loved by millions worldwide.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the active subject to the 'be' verb needed in passive:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
You can, but you shouldn't. Only use `by` if the person doing the action adds important information. 'The book is written by Steve' is good. 'The room is cleaned by a cleaner' is redundant.
Use `is made of` when you can still see the original material (e.g., 'The chair is made of wood'). Use `is made from` when the material has changed (e.g., 'Paper is made from wood').
No. Only 'transitive' verbs (verbs that take an object) can be passive. Verbs like `happen`, `sleep`, and `go` cannot be passive.
Not always, but it is more common in formal writing. In casual speech, we often use 'they' (e.g., 'They say it's going to rain') instead of the passive ('It is said...').
Because it can make writing sound wordy or evasive. However, in science and news, it is often the best choice for objectivity.
Just add `not` after the verb 'to be'. For example: 'The car is not washed.'
It is the third form of a verb (e.g., go-went-**gone**). For regular verbs, it ends in `-ed`.
It can be. If you mean 'Someone closes the door every day,' it's passive. If you are just describing the door right now, 'closed' is an adjective.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Ser + participio / Pasiva con 'se'
English rarely uses a reflexive structure for the passive.
Être + participe passé
French participles must agree in gender and number with the subject.
Werden + Partizip II
The auxiliary verb is 'become', not 'be'.
~reru / ~rareru
Japanese passive is a verb conjugation, not an auxiliary verb construction.
Al-Fi'l al-Majhul
Passive is indicated by vowel changes, not extra words.
被 (bèi) structure
The passive marker 'bèi' is optional and often implies a negative result.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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