Voz Passiva: Coisas que acontecem a coisas (é feito, foi enviado)
flexible e expressive, principalmente quando você foca nas actions.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The passive voice shifts focus from the person doing the action to the person or thing receiving the action.
- Use 'be' + past participle: 'The cake was eaten' (max 20 words)
- The object of the active sentence becomes the subject (max 20 words)
- Use 'by' only if the doer is important: 'by Shakespeare' (max 20 words)
Overview
passive voice) é um recurso gramatical fundamental em inglês que altera o foco da frase. Em vez de enfatizar quem realizou a ação (o agente), focamos na ação em si ou em quem a recebeu. Se você parar para pensar, em português, a gente usa a passiva o tempo todo, mas muitas vezes de forma diferente.se (ex: Vende-se casa), que é uma estrutura que o inglês não possui da mesma forma. No inglês, a estrutura é mais rígida e depende quase exclusivamente do verbo to be conjugado mais o particípio. Dominar isso é um divisor de águas para quem quer sair do nível básico e soar mais profissional no trabalho, em apresentações ou até em textos formais, como e-mails corporativos ou relatórios.I made a mistake, você assume a culpa diretamente.
A mistake was made, você foca no erro, mantendo o tom objetivo e profissional. É uma ferramenta de diplomacia e precisão. Muitos brasileiros, ao aprender inglês, tentam traduzir o
se passivo do português literalmente, o que não funciona.ser + particípio. É um exercício de mudar a perspectiva da frase: o objeto vira o novo protagonista. Isso dá ao seu discurso uma elegância que é muito valorizada em contextos acadêmicos e profissionais, onde o foco deve estar nos dados, nos processos e nos resultados, e não necessariamente nas pessoas que os executaram.to be para indicar o tempo verbal.O relatório foi enviado. Em inglês,
The report was sent. Veja que O relatório (The report) ocupa a posição de sujeito.foi (was) indica o passado, e enviado (sent) é o particípio. Se quisermos mencionar quem enviou, usamos a preposição by. Por exemplo: The report was sent by the manager.by aqui funciona como o agente da passiva. É muito comum, no entanto, que esse agente seja omitido, especialmente quando não sabemos quem é ou quando isso não é importante. Se você estiver pedindo um Uber e o motorista cancelar, você diria My ride was cancelled.
by the driver, porque é óbvio.The car was fixed, The cars were fixed. Viu? O fixed não muda.to be.Sujeito (o que recebe a ação) + Verbo 'to be' (conjugado no tempo da frase original) + Past Participle do verbo principal.The food is delivered by the app. |The food was delivered by the app. |The food will be delivered by the app. |-ed (ex: watched, cleaned). Se for irregular, você precisa saber a terceira coluna da tabela de verbos (ex: write -> written, eat -> eaten, do -> done).- Ativa:
They clean the office every day.-> Passiva:The office is cleaned every day. - Ativa:
Someone broke the window.-> Passiva:The window was broken. - Ativa:
The team will finish the project.-> Passiva:The project will be finished by the team.
quem é menos importante que o o quê.- 1Foco no resultado: Em um contexto de trabalho, se você está descrevendo um processo de produção, o foco é o produto.
The components are assembled in the factory.Não importa quem montou, importa que a montagem acontece. - 2Desconhecimento do agente: Se você chega em casa e encontra sua encomenda aberta, você diz:
My package was opened.Você não sabe quem foi, então a passiva é a única forma natural de expressar isso. - 3Diplomacia: Como mencionado antes,
Mistakes were madeé uma forma clássica de admitir um erro sem apontar o dedo para ninguém. É uma forma de ser neutro e evitar conflitos diretos em uma conversa de negócios. - 4Formalidade: Em relatórios ou textos acadêmicos, a voz passiva é preferida para soar imparcial. Em vez de
Eu analisei os dados
(I analyzed the data), soa mais científico dizerThe data were analyzed
(The data were analyzed).
- 1Esquecer o verbo
to be: O erro mais clássico do brasileiro. DizemosThe house built in 1990
pensando que o particípio basta. Em inglês, você PRECISA dowas. O correto é:The house was built in 1990. - 2Confundir o passado simples com o particípio: Muitos alunos dizem
The door was broke
. Isso dói no ouvido de um nativo! O correto é usar a terceira forma:The door was broken. - 3Uso excessivo da passiva: O brasileiro, ao aprender que a passiva soa
formal, tende a usar em tudo. Isso deixa o texto pesado e robótico. Se você pode dizerI fixed the computer
(ativo), não digaThe computer was fixed by me
(passivo), a menos que haja um motivo específico para dar ênfase ao computador.
The door was locked. (Alguém trancou) |The door is locked. (O estado atual da porta) |The door is locked descreve o estado da porta, enquanto The door was locked descreve a ação de trancá-la. Em português, a gente usa está trancada para ambos, o que gera essa confusão no aprendizado.- 1Preciso sempre usar o
by? Não! Use apenas se a identidade do agente for uma informação nova ou essencial. Se for óbvio, omita. - 2Posso usar voz passiva com todos os verbos? Não, apenas com verbos transitivos (que pedem objeto). Verbos como
arriveougonão aceitam passiva porque não possuem um objeto para se tornar sujeito. - 3A voz passiva é mais educada? Muitas vezes, sim. Ela retira o foco da pessoa e coloca no problema, o que ajuda a manter conversas de trabalho mais produtivas e menos defensivas.
- 4Como sei se o verbo é irregular? Infelizmente, não há regra. É preciso consultar a tabela de verbos irregulares. Foque nos mais comuns do dia a dia, como
done,seen,written,madeebought.
2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
is not
|
isn't
|
The car isn't washed.
|
|
are not
|
aren't
|
The cars aren't washed.
|
|
was not
|
wasn't
|
The car wasn't washed.
|
|
were not
|
weren't
|
The cars weren't washed.
|
Passive Voice Tense Formation
| Tense | Subject | To Be | Past Participle | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
The car
|
is
|
washed
|
The car is washed.
|
|
Present Simple
|
The cars
|
are
|
washed
|
The cars are washed.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The car
|
was
|
washed
|
The car was washed.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The cars
|
were
|
washed
|
The cars were washed.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
The car
|
is being
|
washed
|
The car is being washed.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
The car
|
has been
|
washed
|
The car has been washed.
|
|
Future (Will)
|
The car
|
will be
|
washed
|
The car will be washed.
|
|
Modals
|
The car
|
must be
|
washed
|
The car must be washed.
|
Meanings
A grammatical construction where the subject is the recipient of the action rather than the performer.
Unknown Agent
Used when we don't know who performed the action.
“My bike was stolen last night.”
“The window was broken while I was out.”
Obvious Agent
Used when the performer of the action is so obvious it doesn't need mentioning.
“The thief was arrested.”
“The crops are harvested in autumn.”
Formal/Scientific Objectivity
Used to sound objective and professional by removing the 'I' or 'We'.
“The chemicals were mixed in a beaker.”
“The results were analyzed carefully.”
Reference Table
| Tempo Verbal | Sujeito | Verbo 'to be' | Particípio Passado | Exemplo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
The report
|
is
|
written
|
The report *is written* daily.
|
|
Present Simple
|
These apps
|
are
|
downloaded
|
These apps *are downloaded* by millions.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The message
|
was
|
sent
|
The message *was sent* an hour ago.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The decisions
|
were
|
made
|
The decisions *were made* quickly.
|
|
Present Simple
|
My coffee
|
is
|
brewed
|
My coffee *is brewed* fresh every morning.
|
|
Past Simple
|
Our car
|
was
|
repaired
|
Our car *was repaired* by a local mechanic.
|
Espectro de formalidade
The requested documentation has been processed. (Workplace)
The paperwork was finished this morning. (Workplace)
The forms are all done. (Workplace)
It's all sorted, mate. (Workplace)
A Voz Passiva: Coisas que Acontecem com Coisas
Formação
- verbo 'to be' e.g., is, are, was, were
- Particípio Passado e.g., written, made, sent
- 'by' opcional quem fez
Quando Usar
- Quem fez é desconhecido e.g., My wallet was stolen.
- Quem fez é pouco importante e.g., The road is being repaired.
- Foco na Ação e.g., News was reported.
- Contextos Formais e.g., Rules are enforced.
Erros Comuns
- 'be' Ausente e.g., 'The book read.'
- Forma errada de 'be' e.g., 'They was told.'
- Forma errada do verbo e.g., 'The cake was ate.'
Voz Ativa vs. Voz Passiva
Devo Usar a Voz Passiva?
Quem fez a ação é conhecido e importante?
Você quer focar na ação ou na coisa que recebe a ação?
Situações da Voz Passiva
Notícias e Reportagens
- • 'It was reported that...'
- • Descobertas são feitas
- • Eventos são anunciados
Processos e Instruções
- • Ingredientes são misturados
- • Passos são seguidos
- • Produtos são fabricados
Quando Quem Fez é Desconhecido/Pouco Importante
- • Minhas chaves foram encontradas.
- • Erros foram cometidos.
- • A janela foi quebrada.
Diplomacia e Objetividade
- • Decisões foram tomadas.
- • Questões são abordadas.
- • Políticas são desenvolvidas.
Exemplos por nível
The car is washed.
The car is washed.
The pizza is eaten.
The pizza is eaten.
The windows are closed.
The windows are closed.
The book was lost.
The book was lost.
The house was built in 2010.
The house was built in 2010.
These shoes are made in Italy.
These shoes are made in Italy.
The thief was caught by the police.
The thief was caught by the police.
Was the homework finished?
Was the homework finished?
The application was rejected because it was late.
The application was rejected because it was late.
The meeting is held in the main hall every Friday.
The meeting is held in the main hall every Friday.
Many languages are spoken in this city.
Many languages are spoken in this city.
The bridge was damaged during the storm.
The bridge was damaged during the storm.
The suspect is being questioned by the detectives now.
The suspect is being questioned by the detectives now.
The project should have been completed last week.
The project should have been completed last week.
It is believed that the company is facing bankruptcy.
It is believed that the company is facing bankruptcy.
The data was collected over a six-month period.
The data was collected over a six-month period.
The decision was made with the utmost care.
The decision was made with the utmost care.
Rarely is such a discovery made in this field.
Rarely is such a discovery made in this field.
The building is said to be haunted.
The building is said to be haunted.
He was given a standing ovation after his speech.
He was given a standing ovation after his speech.
The proposal was met with considerable skepticism.
The proposal was met with considerable skepticism.
Provision was made for the possibility of a delay.
Provision was made for the possibility of a delay.
The artifacts are thought to have been smuggled out of the country.
The artifacts are thought to have been smuggled out of the country.
No effort was spared in the search for survivors.
No effort was spared in the search for survivors.
Fácil de confundir
Learners confuse 'The window was broken (by someone)' with 'The window was broken (state/adjective)'.
Learners confuse 'is done' with 'has done'.
Some verbs look active but feel passive, like 'The book sells well'.
Erros comuns
The cake eaten.
The cake was eaten.
The car is wash.
The car is washed.
I was borned in London.
I was born in London.
The window broke by me.
The window was broken by me.
The letters was sent.
The letters were sent.
The book written by him.
The book was written by him.
Is the dinner cook?
Is the dinner cooked?
The house was builded in 1990.
The house was built in 1990.
It was happened yesterday.
It happened yesterday.
The work is being do.
The work is being done.
The car was got stolen.
The car was stolen / The car got stolen.
He is said to have been went.
He is said to have gone.
The problem was explained me.
The problem was explained to me.
Padrões de frases
The ___ was ___ in ___.
___ are ___ every day.
It is ___ that ___.
The ___ hasn't been ___ yet.
Real World Usage
Thousands of homes destroyed by flood.
Made in Vietnam. Batteries not included.
The flight has been delayed.
The eggs are beaten until fluffy.
I was given the 'Employee of the Month' award.
My bike got stolen! :(
Ache o verbo 'to be'!
is, are, was, were) seguida de um particípio passado. Se não vir o 'be', provavelmente não é passiva. É tipo achar o Wally da gramática! The report is written.
Não esqueça os particípios passados!
make - made, eat - eaten). Não use a forma simples do passado por engano, ou sua frase vai soar um pouco estranha. The cake was made.
Teste: Voz Ativa vs. Voz Passiva
The email was sent by mevs.
I sent the email.
O Contexto é Rei!
Mistakes were made.Quem é a estrela?
The car was stolen.
Smart Tips
Use the passive to avoid sounding like you are blaming someone.
Check if it's an adjective or a passive verb by trying to add 'by someone'.
Don't say 'Someone...'. Use the passive voice instead.
Use the present simple passive to focus on the steps.
Pronúncia
Stress on Participle
In passive sentences, the main stress usually falls on the past participle, not the 'be' verb.
Weak 'was'
The word 'was' is usually unstressed and pronounced as /wəz/.
Falling intonation for statements
The bridge was built in 1890. ↘
Conveys a completed fact.
Memorize
Mnemônico
BE + V3 = Passive for me! (Be verb + Past Participle).
Associação visual
Imagine a robot being built in a factory. We don't see the workers, only the robot (the object) moving through the stages of being 'made', 'painted', and 'shipped'.
Rhyme
When the doer is a mystery, use the passive for history!
Story
A man wakes up and finds his car is gone. He tells the police, 'My car was stolen!' He doesn't say 'A thief stole it' because he didn't see the thief. The car is the star of his story.
Word Web
Desafio
Look around your room. Find 5 things and say how they were made or where they were bought using the passive voice (e.g., 'This lamp was bought in IKEA').
Notas culturais
The passive voice is the 'bread and butter' of news. It allows reporters to remain neutral and avoid blaming individuals before a trial.
In Western universities, using 'I' in a science paper is often discouraged. The passive voice is used to make the research seem universal and objective.
Contracts use the passive to define obligations without naming specific employees, focusing on the company as an entity.
The English passive voice evolved from Old English, which used 'weorthan' (to become) or 'beon' (to be) with a participle.
Iniciadores de conversa
Where was your favorite piece of clothing made?
Have you ever had something stolen?
What is a famous building in your city? When was it built?
How are traditional holidays celebrated in your country?
Temas para diário
Erros comuns
Test Yourself
The new update ___ on all devices yesterday afternoon.
Find and fix the mistake:
The message send to everyone in the group chat.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /4
Exercicios praticos
8 exercisesThe Mona Lisa ___ (paint) by Leonardo da Vinci.
Choose the correct option:
Find and fix the mistake:
The windows are clean every Saturday.
Passive form:
You can use the passive voice with the verb 'to sleep'.
A: Why is the road closed? B: An accident ___ (report) ten minutes ago.
Which of these is passive?
Write -> ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesAll assignments ___ online by midnight on Sunday.
The latest episode released last night.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Das Museum wird gerade renoviert.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the subjects with the correct passive verb forms:
The data ___ carefully analyzed before making a decision.
Many applications submitted for the new role.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Neue Produkte werden oft in sozialen Medien beworben.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the beginnings with their correct endings:
Score: /12
Perguntas frequentes (8)
Avoid it when the 'doer' is important or when you want to be direct and energetic. 'I love you' is much better than 'You are loved by me'!
No! In fact, we omit 'by' in about 80% of passive sentences because the doer is unknown or obvious.
'Was broken' is standard and neutral. 'Got broken' is informal and often implies the event was accidental or unfortunate.
Yes! Use 'will be' + V3. For example: 'The results will be published tomorrow.'
No, but overusing it can make writing sound dry or evasive. Use it when the focus truly belongs on the object.
Swap the subject and the 'be' verb. 'The car was fixed' becomes 'Was the car fixed?'
Only transitive verbs (verbs that take an object) can be passive. You can't say 'The bed was slept' because 'sleep' doesn't have an object.
Yes! In English, being born is something that happens to you, so we always use the passive form.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Voz pasiva (ser + participio) / Pasiva refleja (se)
English uses the passive much more frequently than Spanish in everyday speech.
La voix passive (être + participe passé)
French participles change endings (e.g., mangé vs mangée); English ones never do.
Passiv (werden + Partizip II)
German uses 'become' (werden) as the auxiliary, while English uses 'be'.
受身 (ukemi)
Japanese uses a suffix on the main verb; English uses an auxiliary verb.
المبني للمجهول (al-mabni lil-majhul)
Arabic uses vowel shifts within the verb; English uses 'be' + V3.
被字句 (bèi zì jù)
Chinese 'bèi' is a particle, not a verb conjugation, and often carries a negative connotation.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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