The Passive Voice: Focus on Actions (Present Simple Passive)
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
Use this to talk about things. The thing is more important.
This helps you say things better. You can sound more serious.
Talk about what happens, not who did it. This sounds serious.
How This Grammar Works
Formation Pattern
am |
is |\
are |\
The company produces cars. | Cars are produced by the company. |\
My mother bakes bread. | Bread is baked by my mother. |\
People often make mistakes. | Mistakes are often made. |
When To Use It
- When the Agent is Unknown: Often, you simply do not know who performed an action. In such cases, the passive voice allows you to convey the information without speculation or falsehood. It prioritizes the event itself.
My bicycle was stolen last night.(The thief is unknown.)Valuable archaeological sites are discovered in this region every year.(The specific archaeologists or teams are not known or important here.)The new software is constantly updated.(The developers responsible for every update are not specified).
- When the Agent is Unimportant or Obvious: If knowing who performed the action adds no significant information, or if it is generally understood, the passive voice creates conciseness. For example, everyone understands that
letters are deliveredby postal workers. Roads are repaired annually in this town.(It is understood that road workers repair them; the focus is on the roads.)New books are added to the library collection every week.(Librarians add them; the focus is on the books.)Mistakes are sometimes made in the printing process.(The exact person who made the mistake is irrelevant; the focus is on the existence of errors.)
- To Achieve Objectivity and Formality: The passive voice is a hallmark of formal, academic, scientific, and journalistic writing. It creates a sense of detachment and impartiality, as personal pronouns and active agents are minimized. This is particularly valuable in reports or official statements.
The results are presented in Chapter 3 of the report.(More objective thanWe present the results...)All employees are expected to follow safety guidelines.(A rule, not a personal command.)Scientific studies are often criticized for their methodology.(Focus on the criticism, not the critic.)
- For Describing Processes, Procedures, and Systems: When explaining how things work, how something is made, or a sequence of actions, the focus is on the steps and materials, not the people carrying them out. Recipes, manufacturing guides, and instruction manuals frequently employ the Present Simple Passive.
First, the ingredients are mixed, and then the dough is kneaded for ten minutes.(A recipe step.)In this factory, cars are assembled on a production line.(Describes a system.)Customer feedback is collected through online surveys.(Explains a process.)
- To Avoid Blame or Be Tactful: In situations where assigning responsibility might be impolite or counterproductive, the passive voice can soften the statement by omitting the agent. This is a common strategy for maintaining diplomatic communication.
The report is not yet completed.(More tactful thanYou haven't completed the report.)Minor errors are found in the final draft.(Less accusatory thanYou found minor errors...)Sensitive information is sometimes shared accidentally.(Focus on the accidental sharing, not who shared it.)
- Emphasis on Action or Result: Sometimes, the action itself or its outcome is the most salient piece of information, regardless of who performed it. The passive voice places this emphasis directly at the beginning of the sentence.
New regulations are implemented to protect wildlife.(The implementation is key, not the specific governmental body.)The city's electricity is supplied by a hydroelectric dam.(The source of electricity is the focus.)Many languages are spoken in London.(The diversity of languages is highlighted.)
Common Mistakes
- Omitting the Auxiliary Verb
to be: This is arguably the most frequent mistake. The auxiliaryam,is, orareis absolutely indispensable for forming the passive voice. Without it, the sentence is grammatically incorrect and often unintelligible. - Incorrect:
*The food prepared here. - Correct:
The food is prepared here. - Incorrect:
*Reports sent weekly. - Correct:
Reports are sent weekly.
- Using the Wrong Form of the Main Verb: Learners sometimes use the base form (V1) or the simple past form (V2) instead of the past participle (V3).
- Incorrect:
*The email is write.(V1) - Incorrect:
*The email is wrote.(V2) - Correct:
The email is written.(V3)
- Incorrect
to beAgreement with the New Subject: Theto beverb must agree in number with the new subject (the original object). Singular subjects takeis, plural subjects takeare. - Incorrect:
*The instructions is clear. - Correct:
The instructions are clear. - Incorrect:
*The computer are repaired. - Correct:
The computer is repaired.
- Overusing the
byPhrase: Whileby + agentis grammatically correct, its overuse defeats the purpose of the passive voice. If the agent is genuinely important or needs emphasis, the active voice is usually a clearer and more direct choice. The passive is primarily for when the agent is unknown, unimportant, or obvious. - Less natural:
The road is repaired by the road crew every summer. - More natural:
The road is repaired every summer.(Agent is obvious.) - Consider: If you find yourself consistently adding
by + (important agent), re-evaluate if the active voice would be more effective.
- Attempting to Passivize Intransitive Verbs: Only transitive verbs (verbs that take a direct object) can be used in the passive voice. Intransitive verbs (verbs that do not take a direct object, such as
sleep,arrive,happen,go) cannot form a passive construction. - Incorrect:
*He is slept.(sleepis intransitive) - Incorrect:
*The accident was happened.(happenis intransitive)
- Confusing with Present Continuous Passive: The Present Simple Passive describes general truths or routines (
The mail is delivered daily). Do not confuse it with the Present Continuous Passive, which describes an action happening at the moment of speaking (The mail is being delivered right now). The email is written in French.(General fact)The email is being written now.(Action in progress)
Real Conversations
The Present Simple Passive is not confined to formal texts; it frequently appears in everyday communication, demonstrating its utility in a variety of modern contexts. Its use often reflects a desire for conciseness, objectivity, or a natural focus on the object of an action.
- Social Media: On platforms like Instagram or TikTok, you might see captions focusing on the content rather than the creator, especially when the creator is less important than the item being shown.
- This stunning photo is taken from the top of Mount Fuji.
- Fresh baked goods are offered here daily! (Restaurant post)
- Comments are turned off for this video.
- News and Reporting: In news headlines or reports, the passive voice helps maintain an objective tone and focuses on the event rather than the source.
- New safety measures are introduced after the incident.
- Rare artifacts are displayed in the new exhibition.
- Concerns are raised about environmental damage.
- Workplace and Professional Communication: In emails, project updates, or memos, the passive voice can sound more professional and less personal, especially when describing tasks or processes.
- All expenses are reimbursed within five business days. (Company policy)
- Feedback is collected from all team members every month.
- The agenda is distributed before the meeting.
- Everyday Explanations and Descriptions: When describing how things work, how something is made, or general facts, the passive voice is often the most natural choice.
- My car is serviced every year at the local garage.
- French is spoken in parts of Canada.
- The heating is controlled by a smart thermostat.
In these examples, the passive voice allows for efficient communication, highlighting the information that is most relevant to the listener or reader, aligning with the communicative needs of native speakers in diverse settings. It’s a natural part of English discourse, not just a formal construction.
Quick FAQ
- Q: Why would I choose passive over active voice?
You choose the passive voice when the action or the receiver of the action is more important or unknown than the agent. It helps shift focus and can create a more objective or formal tone. For example, The letter is delivered at 9 AM focuses on the letter and its delivery time, not who delivers it.
- Q: Is the
byphrase always necessary when I mention the agent?
Yes, if you choose to include the agent in a passive sentence, it must be introduced by by. However, in most passive constructions, the agent is omitted because it is unknown, unimportant, or obvious, making the by phrase unnecessary. For example, The house is cleaned weekly (it's obvious people clean it).
- Q: What's the main difference between
is doneandis being done?
is done is the Present Simple Passive, describing a routine, general truth, or habitual action (e.g., The reports are finalized every Friday). is being done is the Present Continuous Passive, describing an action happening right now or an ongoing process (e.g., The reports are being finalized right now).
- Q: Can the Present Simple Passive be used for future actions?
No, the Present Simple Passive describes current general truths, routines, or recurring actions. For future passive actions, you typically use will be + Past Participle (e.g., The new system will be installed next month) or a present form indicating a scheduled future event (e.g., The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday).
- Q: Is the passive voice always formal, or can I use it in casual conversation?
While common in formal contexts, the passive voice is also used naturally in informal speech, especially when the agent is unimportant or unknown. For example, My phone was stolen or The TV is broken. Its formality depends more on the context and the specific words used within the passive structure.
- Q: Can all verbs be made passive?
No. Only transitive verbs (verbs that take a direct object) can be used in the passive voice. Intransitive verbs (verbs that do not take a direct object, like sleep, arrive, happen) cannot form passive constructions because there is no object to become the new subject.
- Q: How important is it to know irregular past participles?
It is critically important. Many common English verbs have irregular past participles (e.g., write-written, eat-eaten, make-made, see-seen, do-done). Incorrect past participles will lead to grammatical errors in the passive voice. Consistent study and practice are essential.
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
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + am/is/are + V3
|
The house is cleaned.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + am/is/are + not + V3
|
The house is not cleaned.
|
|
Question
|
Am/Is/Are + Subject + V3?
|
Is the house cleaned?
|
|
Short Answer (+)
|
Yes, Subject + am/is/are
|
Yes, it is.
|
|
Short Answer (-)
|
No, Subject + am/is/are + not
|
No, it isn't.
|
|
Wh- Question
|
Wh- + am/is/are + Subject + V3?
|
When is the house cleaned?
|
|
With Agent
|
Subject + am/is/are + V3 + by...
|
The house is cleaned by Mary.
|
Formality Spectrum
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)
The Passive Voice Focus
When to use
- Processes How things are made
- Facts General truths
- Unknown Doer Who did it?
Active vs. Passive
Is it Passive?
Is the subject doing the action?
Is it happening now/regularly?
Common Passive Verbs
Services
- • Served
- • Cleaned
- • Delivered
Production
- • Made
- • Grown
- • Built
Examples by Level
The room is cleaned every day.
Apples are grown in this garden.
The door is locked at night.
English is spoken here.
The mail is delivered at 9 AM.
Are these shoes made in Italy?
The trash is not collected on Sundays.
Many movies are filmed in London.
The website is updated every hour with new news.
Coffee is served with a small biscuit in this cafe.
The results are sent to your email automatically.
Is the office cleaned by a professional company?
The law is strictly enforced by the local authorities.
Large amounts of data are processed by the algorithm.
The museum is visited by thousands of tourists annually.
Is it true that the budget is approved by the board?
The nuances of the language are often lost in translation.
The proposal is viewed as a significant step forward.
Resources are allocated based on the project's priority.
The tradition is upheld by the younger generation.
The inherent complexity of the system is mitigated by several fail-safes.
It is widely conjectured that the treaty is flawed.
The narrative is constructed through a series of flashbacks.
The status quo is maintained through systemic inertia.
Easily Confused
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
Sentence Patterns
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?
The 'By' Rule
Don't Overdo It
Check the Participle
Politeness
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.
Pronunciation
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.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember 'BE + V3': The verb 'to BE' (am/is/are) plus the 'V3' (past participle) makes the passive for me!
Visual Association
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
Challenge
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').
Cultural Notes
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).
Conversation Starters
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?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
The 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:
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
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.
Choose the correct sentence:
Many languages speak in India.
Translate into English: 'Esta puerta se cierra automáticamente.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the subjects with the correct form:
Information ___ (share) via email.
Which sentence is correct?
The news broadcast at 6 PM daily.
Translate into English: 'El inglés se enseña en nuestra escuela.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the verbs with their past participles:
Score: /12
FAQ (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.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
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Passive Voice: Things happening to things (is made, was sent)
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