Agent in Passive Voice (s + Instrumental)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In Croatian passive sentences, the 'doer' or 'tool' is expressed using the Instrumental case without any preposition.
- Identify the agent (the doer) or the instrument used in the action.
- Change the agent/instrument noun into the Instrumental case (e.g., 'ruka' becomes 'rukom').
- Do NOT use the preposition 's/sa' when expressing the agent or means.
Formation of Passive with Instrumental Agent
| Subject (Gender) | Auxiliary (Biti) | Passive Participle | Instrumental Agent/Means |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Pismo (n.)
|
je
|
napisano
|
olovkom (f. instr.)
|
|
Vrata (pl.)
|
su
|
otvorena
|
ključem (m. instr.)
|
|
Grad (m.)
|
je
|
uništen
|
potresom (m. instr.)
|
|
Ceste (f. pl.)
|
su
|
blokirane
|
snijegom (m. instr.)
|
|
Kolač (m.)
|
će biti
|
pojeden
|
gostima (m. pl. instr.)
|
|
Zakon (m.)
|
je
|
izglasan
|
parlamentom (m. instr.)
|
Meanings
The use of the Instrumental case to indicate the agent (the person or thing performing the action) or the instrument (the tool used) in a passive construction.
Instrument of Action
Using a tool or object to complete an action in a passive sentence.
“Vrata su otvorena ključem.”
“Kolač je rezan nožem.”
Natural Force or Cause
When a natural phenomenon or abstract force acts as the agent.
“Cesta je blokirana snijegom.”
“Grad je uništen potresom.”
Human Agent (Formal/Literary)
Indicating a person as the agent, though 'od strane' is more common in modern speech.
“Odluka je donesena većinom glasova.”
“Zakon je usvojen parlamentom.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + biti + Participle + Instr
|
Prozor je razbijen kamenom.
|
|
Negative
|
Subj + ne + biti + Participle + Instr
|
Prozor nije razbijen kamenom.
|
|
Question
|
Je li + Subj + Participle + Instr?
|
Je li prozor razbijen kamenom?
|
|
Plural
|
Subj(pl) + su + Participle(pl) + Instr
|
Prozori su razbijeni kamenjem.
|
|
Future
|
Subj + će biti + Participle + Instr
|
Problem će biti riješen dogovorom.
|
|
Past
|
Subj + je bio + Participle + Instr
|
Grad je bio uništen ratom.
|
Formality Spectrum
Prozorsko staklo je uništeno udarcem lopte. (Reporting an incident)
Prozor je razbijen loptom. (Reporting an incident)
Lopta je razbila prozor. (Reporting an incident)
Netko je sprašio loptu kroz prozor. (Reporting an incident)
The Passive Agent Bridge
Tools (Instruments)
- ključem with a key
- nožem with a knife
Natural Forces
- vjetrom by the wind
- kišom by the rain
Abstract Means
- zakonom by law
- radom by work
Active vs. Passive with Instrumental
Choosing the Right 'By'
Is the agent a person?
Is it a tool or force?
Common Instrumental Agents
Nature
- • vjetrom
- • kišom
- • suncem
- • potresom
Tools
- • čekićem
- • pilom
- • škarama
- • kistom
Formal
- • zakonom
- • odlukom
- • uputama
- • glasovima
Examples by Level
Vrata su otvorena ključem.
The door is opened with a key.
Pismo je napisano olovkom.
The letter is written with a pencil.
Kolač je rezan nožem.
The cake is cut with a knife.
Slika je nacrtana bojama.
The picture is drawn with colors.
Prozor je razbijen loptom.
The window was broken by a ball.
Cesta je pokrivena snijegom.
The road is covered with snow.
Auto je opran vodom.
The car was washed with water.
Kuća je uništena vatrom.
The house was destroyed by fire.
Grad je pogođen snažnim potresom.
The city was hit by a powerful earthquake.
Odluka je donesena većinom glasova.
The decision was made by a majority of votes.
Pjesma je izvedena dječjim zborom.
The song was performed by a children's choir.
Problem je riješen novim zakonom.
The problem was solved by a new law.
Ugovor je raskinut jednostranom odlukom.
The contract was terminated by a unilateral decision.
Izložba je otvorena prigodnim govorom.
The exhibition was opened with an appropriate speech.
Teren je natopljen dugotrajnom kišom.
The field was soaked by long-lasting rain.
Pitanje je razmatrano stručnim povjerenstvom.
The issue was considered by an expert commission.
Njegov je rad obilježen stalnim traganjem za istinom.
His work is marked by a constant search for truth.
Svijet je potresen ovim neočekivanim događajem.
The world is shaken by this unexpected event.
Tekst je prožet dubokim pesimizmom.
The text is permeated by deep pessimism.
Svečanost je uveličana prisustvom predsjednika.
The ceremony was enhanced by the presence of the president.
Čitav je krajolik bio obavijen gustom, neprozirnom maglom.
The entire landscape was shrouded in a thick, opaque fog.
Presuda je osporena novootkrivenim dokazima.
The verdict was challenged by newly discovered evidence.
Njegova je sudbina bila zapečaćena tim jednim činom.
His fate was sealed by that single act.
Atmosfera je bila zasićena iščekivanjem i strahom.
The atmosphere was saturated with anticipation and fear.
Easily Confused
Learners use 's' for both 'with a person' and 'with a tool'.
Learners don't know when to use the Instrumental vs. 'od strane'.
Using 'od' + Genitive to mean 'by' because of English influence.
Common Mistakes
Vrata su otvorena s ključem.
Vrata su otvorena ključem.
Pismo je napisano olovka.
Pismo je napisano olovkom.
Kolač je rezan sa nož.
Kolač je rezan nožem.
Ja sam pogođen od loptom.
Pogođen sam loptom.
Cesta je blokirana snijeg.
Cesta je blokirana snijegom.
Kuća je uništena s vatrom.
Kuća je uništena vatrom.
Prozori su razbijeni kamenima.
Prozori su razbijeni kamenjem.
Auto je opran sa voda.
Auto je opran vodom.
Odluka je donesena s većinom.
Odluka je donesena većinom.
Pjesma je pjevana od zborom.
Pjesma je pjevana zborom.
Problem je riješen s novim zakonom.
Problem je riješen novim zakonom.
Grad je pogođen od potresa.
Grad je pogođen potresom.
Tekst je prožet sa pesimizmom.
Tekst je prožet pesimizmom.
Svečanost je uveličana od strane prisustva.
Svečanost je uveličana prisustvom.
Rad je obilježen s traganjem.
Rad je obilježen traganjem.
Zakon je usvojen sa parlamentom.
Zakon je usvojen parlamentom.
Sentence Patterns
___ je ___ ___om.
Grad je bio ___ ___om.
Odluka će biti ___ ___om.
Problem je ___ ___om.
Real World Usage
Grad je pogođen olujom.
Ugovor je raskinut odlukom suda.
Mobitel mi je razbijen padom.
Tijesto je miješano mikserom.
Cilj je ostvaren timskim radom.
Teza je potkrijepljena dokazima.
The 'No-S' Rule
People vs. Things
Natural Forces
Formal Tone
Smart Tips
Check if the word is a tool. If it is, use the Instrumental case and delete the preposition.
Always use the Instrumental case for the force of nature (wind, rain, fire).
If it's a person, use 'od strane'. If it's an object, use Instrumental.
Remember the plural Instrumental ending is usually -ima for all genders.
Pronunciation
Instrumental Endings
The ending -om is usually short, but the preceding vowel might carry a rising accent.
No Preposition Pause
Since there is no 's', the participle and the instrumental noun should flow together without a pause.
Passive Statement
Vrata su otvorena ↘ ključem.
Falling intonation at the end of the sentence emphasizes the instrument.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Instrumental is the 'Instrument' — use it for the tool, but keep the 's' out of the pool!
Visual Association
Imagine a giant hand (the Agent) holding a hammer (the Instrument) hitting a nail. The hammer is the noun in the Instrumental case, and there is no 's' bridge between the hand and the hammer.
Rhyme
Kad je pasiv u pitanju, 's' je u skitanju; instrumental sam stoji, nikoga se ne boji.
Story
A master builder named Ivan built a cathedral. In the history books, they didn't say 'Ivan built it.' They said 'Katedrala je građena kamenom' (The cathedral was built with stone) and 'Katedrala je dovršena trudom' (The cathedral was finished with effort). The stone and the effort are the heroes in the Instrumental case.
Word Web
Challenge
Look around your room. Find three objects and write a passive sentence for each, explaining how they were made or moved using the Instrumental (e.g., 'Kava je skuhana aparatom').
Cultural Notes
In standard Croatian, using the Instrumental for natural forces is the hallmark of professional journalism.
Legal documents heavily favor the Instrumental agent to maintain an impersonal, objective tone.
Poets often use the Instrumental for human agents to create a sense of destiny or to personify the action.
The Instrumental case in Slavic languages has always functioned as the case of the 'means' or 'instrument'.
Conversation Starters
Čime je tvoja omiljena slika naslikana?
Je li tvoj grad ikada bio pogođen nekom prirodnom nepogodom?
Čime se obično otvaraju vinske boce?
Kako je donesena najvažnija odluka u tvojoj firmi?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Vrata su otvorena ___ (ključ).
How do you say 'The city was destroyed by an earthquake'?
Find and fix the mistake:
Pismo je napisano sa olovkom.
Većina je donijela odluku.
In Croatian, you must use the preposition 's' to indicate the tool used in a passive sentence.
A: Kako je prozor razbijen? B: Razbijen je ___ (lopta).
Select the most appropriate noun.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesVrata su otvorena ___ (ključ).
How do you say 'The city was destroyed by an earthquake'?
Find and fix the mistake:
Pismo je napisano sa olovkom.
Većina je donijela odluku.
In Croatian, you must use the preposition 's' to indicate the tool used in a passive sentence.
A: Kako je prozor razbijen? B: Razbijen je ___ (lopta).
Select the most appropriate noun.
1. Rezati, 2. Pisati, 3. Otključati
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
Only if you mean 'in the company of'. For example, 'Vrata su otvorena s osmijehom' (The door was opened with a smile). But for tools, never use 's'.
Because using the Instrumental for people can sound like they are objects. `Od strane` + Genitive is the standard way to show respect and clarity for human agents.
Yes, but the endings change. Masculine/Neuter usually take `-om` or `-em`, and Feminine takes `-om`.
It's common for tools (`nožem`, `ključem`), but for abstract causes, it's more common in news and writing.
Put them all in the Instrumental plural: `Vrata su otvorena ključevima`.
No, the 'se' passive (e.g., `Vrata se otvaraju`) usually doesn't take an Instrumental agent. Use the `biti` + participle passive instead.
Ask yourself: 'Is this the thing doing the work?' If yes, no 's'. If it's just 'along for the ride', use 's'.
Usually, the Instrumental agent comes at the end of the sentence for emphasis.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
by / with
Croatian has no word for 'by' or 'with' in this context; it's all in the noun ending.
von / durch / mit
German requires a preposition; Croatian often does not.
por / con
Spanish uses a preposition; Croatian uses case inflection.
par / avec
French relies on 'par'; Croatian relies on the Instrumental ending.
〜によって (ni yotte) / 〜で (de)
Japanese uses particles; Croatian uses case endings.
من قبل (min qibali) / بـ (bi-)
Arabic uses prefixes/prepositions; Croatian uses suffixes.
被 (bèi) / 用 (yòng)
Chinese uses word order and specific markers; Croatian uses inflection.
