B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 11

Shifting Focus: The Passive Voice

8 Total Rules
83 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of shifting focus to actions and results for sophisticated Portuguese communication.

  • Construct formal sentences using the 'ser' + past participle structure.
  • Identify and use the common 'se' passive found in advertisements and news.
  • Differentiate between passive and impersonal statements to ensure perfect verb agreement.
Shift the spotlight: From who did it to what happened.

What You'll Learn

Ready to make your Portuguese sound truly authentic and sophisticated? This chapter is your gateway to mastering the passive voice, a crucial structure that lets you emphasize actions and results over the person performing them. It's how native speakers convey precision and formality, and you'll find it everywhere from news articles to everyday conversation. We'll start with the classic ser + past participle construction, learning how to shift the spotlight to the object of the action, ensuring your participles always agree! Then, you'll discover how to gracefully introduce the 'doer' of the action using por (think pelo/pela) when necessary, all while maintaining the passive emphasis. But the real star of this chapter is the versatile se passive (Voz Passiva Sintética). This is incredibly common in Portuguese, and you'll learn its secrets, especially how the verb must agree in number with the noun being acted upon. Get ready to understand signs like Vendem-se casas (Houses are sold) with perfect clarity. Finally, we'll tackle the subtle but important distinction between the passive se and the impersonal se, so you'll always know when to make your verb plural and when to keep it singular. By the end of this chapter, you won't just be learning rules; you'll be able to express yourself with greater nuance and sound incredibly natural. You'll comfortably read headlines like

A ponte foi construída
(The bridge was built) and understand nuanced impersonal statements. Get ready to elevate your Portuguese to a truly upper-intermediate level!

Learning Objectives

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

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to transform active sentences into the analytical passive voice with correct participle agreement.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to identify the agent of the action using the correct contractions of 'por'.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to use the 'se' passive (sintética) and ensure the verb agrees with the patient noun.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to distinguish between 'se' as a passive marker and 'se' as an impersonal subject.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Ready to elevate your Portuguese grammar to a truly B2 level? This chapter unlocks the power of the passive voice, a crucial linguistic tool that allows you to shift emphasis from the doer of an action to the action itself or its recipient. Mastering this structure is key to sounding more authentic and sophisticated, as native speakers frequently employ it in everything from news reports to nuanced daily conversations. Understanding the Portuguese passive voice is not just about rules; it's about gaining a deeper appreciation for how the language conveys precision and formality.
We'll explore two primary forms of the Voz Passiva in Portuguese. First, the classic analytical passive, built with the verb ser and a past participle, where you'll learn to ensure perfect agreement. Then, we dive into the highly versatile se passive (also known as the Voz Passiva Sintética), which is incredibly common and efficient. By the end, you'll comfortably read headlines like "A ponte foi construída" (The bridge was built) and understand nuanced impersonal statements, equipping you with essential skills for upper-intermediate Portuguese language learning.

How This Grammar Works

The Portuguese passive voice fundamentally shifts the spotlight from who performs an action to what is being acted upon. The most straightforward way to form it is using ser + past participle, a rule often referred to as Forming Passive Voice (Ser + Participle). For example, instead of "O João escreveu o livro" (João wrote the book), you'd say "O livro foi escrito pelo João" (The book was written by João). Crucially, the past participle must agree in gender and number with the new subject: A carta foi escrita (The letter was written - feminine singular), Os documentos foram lidos (The documents were read - masculine plural).
To introduce the original doer of the action, Portuguese uses por or its contractions pelo/pela/pelos/pelas, a concept covered in Passive Voice: Introducing Agents with 'by' (pelo/pela). These contractions combine por with the definite articles. For instance, "A decisão foi tomada pelos diretores" (The decision was made by the directors). If the agent is indefinite or less important, por alone can be used, but pelo/pela are very common.
The real star for B2 Portuguese learners is the Passive Voice with 'se' (Voz Passiva Sintética). This structure is incredibly prevalent, especially in signs, advertisements, and general statements. It uses the particle se immediately before the verb. The key here is that the verb *must* agree in number with the noun being acted upon. For example, "Vendem-se casas" (Houses are sold – plural verb for plural 'houses'), and "Aluga-se apartamento" (An apartment is rented – singular verb for singular 'apartment'). This is precisely the 'Se' Passive Voice (Vendem-se casas) you'll see everywhere.
Finally, we address the critical distinction between the passive se and the impersonal se, often referred to as Passive vs. Impersonal 'se' (Partícula Apassivadora e Impessoal). When se is a passive particle (partícula apassivadora), the verb agrees with the direct object, which becomes the grammatical subject (e.g., Comem-se maçãs - Apples are eaten). When se is an impersonal particle, the verb *always* remains in the third-person singular, making a general statement without a specific subject (e.g., "Comem-se bem aqui" - One eats well here, or People eat well here). Recognizing this difference is a hallmark of advanced Portuguese grammar.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "A porta foi aberto." (The door was opened.)
✓ Correct: "A porta foi aberta." (The door was opened.)
*Explanation:* The past participle in the analytical passive (ser + participle) must agree in gender and number with the subject. "A porta" is feminine singular, so the participle must be "aberta," not "aberto."
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Vende-se casas." (Houses are sold.)
✓ Correct: "Vendem-se casas." (Houses are sold.)
*Explanation:* In the se passive (Voz Passiva Sintética), if the item being acted upon (in this case, "casas") is plural, the verb must also be plural. "Casas" is plural, so the verb should be "vendem-se," not "vende-se."
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "A comida foi preparado por mim." (The food was prepared by me.)
✓ Correct: "A comida foi preparada por mim." (The food was prepared by me.)
*Explanation:* Similar to mistake 1, the participle "preparado" must agree with "A comida" (feminine singular), becoming "preparada."

Real Conversations

A

A

"O novo projeto foi aprovado pela diretoria?" (Was the new project approved by the board?)
B

B

"Sim, foi aprovado ontem à tarde, depois de muita discussão." (Yes, it was approved yesterday afternoon, after much discussion.)
A

A

"Onde se compram bilhetes para o concerto?" (Where are tickets bought for the concert?)
B

B

"Vendem-se bilhetes online ou na bilheteria do teatro." (Tickets are sold online or at the theater box office.)
A

A

"Os erros foram corrigidos no relatório final?" (Were the errors corrected in the final report?)
B

B

"Sim, foram todos corrigidos pela equipe de revisão." (Yes, they were all corrected by the review team.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between Voz Passiva Analítica and Voz Passiva Sintética in Portuguese grammar?

The Voz Passiva Analítica uses ser + past participle (e.g., "O livro foi escrito"), while the Voz Passiva Sintética uses a verb with the particle se (e.g., "Escreve-se o livro").

Q

How do I know when to use pelo or por with the agent in the passive voice?

You use pelo/pela/pelos/pelas (contractions of por + definite article) when the agent is specific and defined (e.g., "pela equipe"). You use por alone when the agent is general, indefinite, or not accompanied by an article (e.g., "por sorte").

Q

Can I always use the se passive in Portuguese?

No, the se passive is typically used with transitive verbs that have a direct object. It's less common with verbs that express states or verbs that are inherently intransitive. It's also more common in formal or impersonal contexts.

Q

How can I quickly distinguish between passive se and impersonal se?

If the verb *can* agree in number with the noun that follows it (i.e., if that noun is plural and the verb can also be plural), it's likely a passive se. If the verb *always* stays singular, even with a plural concept, it's an impersonal se. (e.g., Comem-se maçãs vs. Come-se bem aqui).

Cultural Context

The Portuguese passive voice, especially the se passive, is incredibly common in everyday life in Portugal and Brazil. You'll see signs like "Aluga-se" (For Rent) or "Proíbem-se cães" (Dogs are forbidden) everywhere. It's a hallmark of formal writing, news articles, and official announcements, lending an air of objectivity and professionalism. While both forms of the passive exist, the Voz Passiva Sintética (se passive) is often preferred for its conciseness and natural flow, making it essential for any B2 Portuguese speaker aiming for authentic expression.

Key Examples (8)

1

O novo iPhone foi lançado ontem.

The new iPhone was released yesterday.

Portuguese Passive Voice: Focusing on the Action (Voz Passiva)
2

Todas as faturas foram pagas pela empresa.

All invoices were paid by the company.

Portuguese Passive Voice: Focusing on the Action (Voz Passiva)
3

A foto foi postada no Instagram.

The photo was posted on Instagram.

Passive Voice: Focusing on the Action (`Voz Passiva`)
4

Os e-mails foram enviados hoje de manhã.

The emails were sent this morning.

Passive Voice: Focusing on the Action (`Voz Passiva`)
5

O pedido foi cancelado pelo restaurante.

The order was cancelled by the restaurant.

Forming Passive Voice (Ser + Participle)
6

Essas fotos foram tiradas na Bahia.

These photos were taken in Bahia.

Forming Passive Voice (Ser + Participle)
7

O vídeo foi editado pelo editor profissional.

The video was edited by the professional editor.

Passive Voice: Introducing Agents with 'by' (pelo/pela)
8

A música foi composta pela cantora famosa.

The song was composed by the famous singer.

Passive Voice: Introducing Agents with 'by' (pelo/pela)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Focus on the Object

When you want to emphasize the result, use the passive voice.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Passive Voice: Focusing on the Action (Voz Passiva)
💡

Check the subject

Always identify the subject first to ensure the verb and participle agree.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice: Focusing on the Action (`Voz Passiva`)
💡

Check Agreement

Always check if your subject is plural or feminine. The participle must match!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Forming Passive Voice (Ser + Participle)
💡

Check Agreement

Always check if your subject is masculine/feminine and singular/plural. The participle must match.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice: Introducing Agents with 'by' (pelo/pela)

Key Vocabulary (6)

construir to build vender to sell anunciar to announce pelo / pela by (contraction of por + o/a) reformar to renovate descobrir to discover

Real-World Preview

newspaper

Reading the News

map-pin

Walking through Lisbon

Review Summary

  • [Subject] + [Ser] + [Past Participle (agrees with subject)]
  • [Passive Sentence] + [por + article] + [Agent]
  • [Verb 3rd person] + [se] + [Subject]
  • [Verb 3rd person singular] + [se] + [Preposition/Adverb]

Common Mistakes

In the analytical passive, the past participle acts like an adjective and must agree in gender and number with the subject.

Wrong: As casas foram vendido.
Correct: As casas foram vendidas.

In the 'se' passive, 'quartos' is the subject. Since 'quartos' is plural, the verb 'alugar' must be plural.

Wrong: Aluga-se quartos.
Correct: Alugam-se quartos.

To introduce the agent of the passive, use the preposition 'por' (pelo/pela), not 'para'.

Wrong: O livro foi escrito para o autor.
Correct: O livro foi escrito pelo autor.

Rules in This Chapter (8)

1

Portuguese Passive Voice: Focusing on the Action (Voz Passiva)

B2
Shift the focus to the object by using 'ser' plus a matching past participle to sound professional and precise.
O novo iPhone foi lançado ontem.
10 examples
2

Passive Voice: Focusing on the Action (`Voz Passiva`)

B2
The passive voice uses ser or se to highlight the result of an action over the doer.
A foto foi postada no Instagram.
10 examples
3

Forming Passive Voice (Ser + Participle)

B2
Use Ser + Participle to emphasize the receiver of an action, ensuring the participle agrees with the new subject.
O pedido foi cancelado pelo restaurante.
10 examples
4

Passive Voice: Introducing Agents with 'by' (pelo/pela)

B2
Introduce agents using por (pelo/pela) while ensuring the past participle matches the subject's gender and number.
O vídeo foi editado pelo editor profissional.
10 examples
5

The 'By' Phrase in Portuguese (Passive Agent)

B2
The passive agent identifies the doer using 'por' while keeping the focus on the action's result.
A foto foi postada pela Ana no Instagram.
10 examples
6

Passive Voice with 'se' (Voz Passiva Sintética)

B2
The noun is the boss: if it's plural, the verb must be plural too.
Vendem-se pães quentinhos aqui.
12 examples
7

The 'Se' Passive Voice (Vendem-se casas)

B2
The verb must agree in number with the thing being acted upon (singular or plural).
Vendem-se carros usados em ótimo estado.
10 examples
8

Passive vs. Impersonal 'se' (Partícula Apassivadora e Impessoal)

B2
Use 'se' for passive agreement with nouns, but keep it singular when followed by a preposition.
Vende-se este apartamento moderno.
11 examples

Next Steps

You've just added a major layer of sophistication to your Portuguese. Mastering the passive voice is a huge step toward fluency. Keep practicing those 'se' agreements!

Read a Brazilian news article and highlight all 'ser + participle' forms.

Look at online real estate listings (e.g., OLX Portugal) and find examples of 'Vende-se' or 'Aluga-se'.

Continue to: The Basics of the Subjunctive Mood

Quick Practice (10)

Fill in the blank with the correct contraction.

O carro foi lavado ___ (por + o) mecânico.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pelo
Por + o = pelo.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The 'By' Phrase in Portuguese (Passive Agent)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

As casas foi vendida.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: As casas foram vendidas.
Plural agreement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Passive Voice: Focusing on the Action (Voz Passiva)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Alugam-se apartamentos
Agreement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice with 'se' (Voz Passiva Sintética)

Choose the correct passive form.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O projeto foi feito pelo gerente.
Correct contraction.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice: Introducing Agents with 'by' (pelo/pela)

Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'ser'.

O livro ___ escrito por ele.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: foi
Past tense is required.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive Voice: Focusing on the Action (`Voz Passiva`)

Choose the correct passive form.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O bolo foi feito por ela.
Masculine singular agreement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Passive Voice: Focusing on the Action (Voz Passiva)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Não vende-se carros.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Não se vendem carros
Negative pulls 'se' to the front.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The 'Se' Passive Voice (Vendem-se casas)

Fill in the blank with the correct verb form.

___-se casas aqui. (vender)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vendem
Houses is plural, so the verb must be plural.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Passive vs. Impersonal 'se' (Partícula Apassivadora e Impessoal)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

O projeto foi feito para os alunos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O projeto foi feito pelos alunos.
Por + os = pelos.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The 'By' Phrase in Portuguese (Passive Agent)

Choose the correct passive sentence.

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A casa foi vendida pelo dono.
The participle must agree with 'casa' (feminine) and 'por + o' must contract to 'pelo'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Forming Passive Voice (Ser + Participle)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Use it when the action or the object is more important than the person doing it.
Yes, for the analytical passive, 'ser' is the only auxiliary verb.
Use it when the action or the object is more important than the person doing it.
Yes, especially in formal writing and signs.
It is possible, but it often sounds too formal or robotic. In Brazil, the 'se' passive is preferred.
Use 'ser' for specific, formal actions. Use 'se' for general, impersonal statements.
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Connecting Ideas with Relative Clauses
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The Basics of the Subjunctive Mood
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