Passiva Simples no Passado: Ações Concluídas (foi/foram feito/a/s)
was/were com o past participle, e aí o foco da sua frase muda do doer para o receiver.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'was' or 'were' plus a past participle to focus on what happened to something, rather than who did it.
- Use 'was' for singular subjects and 'were' for plural subjects: 'The letter was sent.'
- Always use the past participle (V3) of the main verb: 'The windows were broken.'
- Add 'by' only if the person who did the action is actually important: 'It was painted by Da Vinci.'
Overview
Past Simple Passive) é um divisor de águas para quem quer sair do básico e começar a soar como um falante mais avançado. Em português, a gente usa a voz passiva o tempo todo, tanto com o verbo 'ser' quanto com a partícula 'se' (ex: 'A casa foi construída' ou 'Construiu-se a casa').to be. Quando você usa o Past Simple Passive, você tira o foco de *quem* fez a ação e coloca todo o destaque no *objeto* que sofreu a ação. Isso é essencial para situações de trabalho, relatórios ou quando você quer ser mais formal ou objetivo.Subject + auxiliary to be (past) + past participle.Past Simple Passive *nunca* muda; ele fica sempre no past participle (o famoso 'terceira coluna' da lista de verbos). O que muda é apenas o verbo to be (was ou were).The reports were sent. Veja que 'reports' é o sujeito, 'were' é o verbo auxiliar no passado e 'sent' é o particípio.was/were.Past Simple Passive é o equivalente direto da nossa passiva analítica. É uma ferramenta de precisão.Past Simple Passive, você só precisa seguir uma receita de bolo. O segredo está em garantir que o verbo to be concorde com o novo sujeito.The email was sent.(O e-mail foi enviado.)The documents were signed.(Os documentos foram assinados.)The cake was eaten.(O bolo foi comido.)
not após o was ou were: The room was not cleaned (ou wasn't cleaned). Para perguntas, inverta o auxiliar: Was the room cleaned? ou Were the documents signed?. Lembre-se: o particípio é fixo.-ed. Se for irregular, você precisa saber a forma correta (ex: write -> written, take -> taken, build -> built).Past Simple Passive principalmente em quatro situações:- 1Agente desconhecido: Se você chegou no seu carro e viu que ele foi arranhado, você diz
My car was scratched. Você não sabe quem fez, então a passiva é a única forma natural de falar isso. - 2Foco no objeto: Se você está descrevendo uma obra de arte famosa, como a Mona Lisa, você diz
It was painted by Da Vinci. O foco é a pintura, não o pintor. - 3Formalidade e neutralidade: Em reuniões ou e-mails formais, dizer
Mistakes were madesoa muito mais profissional e menos agressivo do que apontar o dedo para alguém. - 4Processos: Se você está explicando como um prato foi feito ou como um projeto foi entregue, o passo a passo exige a passiva:
The ingredients were mixed and the dish was cooked for 20 minutes.
- 1Esquecer o verbo
to be: O erro mais comum do brasileiro é falarThe house built in 1990. Isso está errado! Você precisa dowas:The house was built in 1990. A interferência aqui acontece porque, no português, a gente às vezes omite o auxiliar em contextos informais, mas no inglês, sem owas/were, a frase não faz sentido gramatical. - 2Confundir o passado simples com o particípio: Muitos alunos usam
was wroteem vez dewas written. Isso acontece porque o cérebro tenta usar o passado simples (wrote) em vez da forma correta do particípio (written). É pura falta de prática com as listas de verbos irregulares. - 3Concordância do
was/were: É comum verThe cars was sold. Como o sujeitocarsestá no plural, o auxiliar deve serwere. A interferência vem do fato de que, em português, a gente conjuga o verbo principal, e o brasileiro pode se confundir ao ter que conjugar o auxiliarto beem vez do verbo de ação.
John cleaned the kitchen. |The kitchen was cleaned. |- 1Posso sempre usar a passiva? Não. Use apenas quando o agente for irrelevante ou quando você quiser ser mais formal. Se você quer dar crédito a alguém, use a voz ativa.
- 2Como sei se o verbo é regular ou irregular no particípio? Não tem atalho, é preciso estudar a lista de verbos. Verbos regulares são fáceis (
-ed), mas os irregulares precisam ser memorizados. - 3O
by + agenté obrigatório? Nunca! Ele é opcional. Só use se for realmente importante identificar quem fez a ação após ter dado ênfase ao objeto.
Past Simple Passive Conjugation
| Subject | Auxiliary (to be) | Past Participle (V3) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I / He / She / It
|
was
|
done / seen / built
|
It was done.
|
|
You / We / They
|
were
|
done / seen / built
|
They were seen.
|
|
Negative (Singular)
|
was not (wasn't)
|
taken
|
He wasn't taken.
|
|
Negative (Plural)
|
were not (weren't)
|
taken
|
We weren't taken.
|
|
Question (Singular)
|
Was [subject]
|
invited?
|
Was she invited?
|
|
Question (Plural)
|
Were [subject]
|
invited?
|
Were they invited?
|
Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
|
was not
|
wasn't
|
|
were not
|
weren't
|
Meanings
The Past Simple Passive is used to describe completed actions in the past where the object of the action becomes the subject of the sentence. It is used when the 'doer' is unknown, obvious, or less important than the action itself.
Historical Facts
Describing events in history where the focus is on the discovery, invention, or event.
“The Pyramids were built thousands of years ago.”
“America was reached by Columbus in 1492.”
Crime and Accidents
Reporting incidents where the perpetrator might be unknown or the victim/object is the news.
“My bike was stolen last night.”
“The shop was robbed at 4 AM.”
Process and Results
Focusing on the completion of a task rather than the worker.
“The report was finished on time.”
“The emails were sent this morning.”
Reference Table
| Sujeito | Forma da Voz Passiva Simples no Passado | Exemplo de Frase |
|---|---|---|
|
I
|
was + past participle
|
I `was told` about the meeting.
|
|
You (singular)
|
were + past participle
|
You `were invited` to the party.
|
|
He/She/It
|
was + past participle
|
The car `was repaired` yesterday.
|
|
We
|
were + past participle
|
We `were informed` of the changes.
|
|
You (plural)
|
were + past participle
|
You `were offered` a discount.
|
|
They
|
were + past participle
|
They `were given` clear instructions.
|
Espectro de formalidade
The mobile device was misappropriated. (Theft)
My phone was stolen. (Theft)
My phone got nicked. (Theft)
My blower was swiped. (Theft)
Voz Passiva Simples no Passado: Visão Geral
Estrutura
- was/were + Past Participle Forma Verbal
Quando Usar
- Agente Desconhecido/Pouco Importante Quem faz não importa
- Objetividade Tom formal
- Ênfase na Ação/Receptor O que aconteceu
Exemplos
- The email was sent. Email enviado
- Houses were built. Casas construídas
Voz Ativa vs. Passiva: Passado Simples
Devo Usar a Voz Passiva Simples no Passado?
O 'agente' da ação é desconhecido ou pouco importante?
Você quer enfatizar a ação ou seu receptor?
Você está escrevendo formalmente (notícias, relatório)?
Particípios Passados para a Voz Passiva
Verbos Regulares (-ed)
- • cleaned
- • finished
- • started
- • developed
Verbos Irregulares (Comuns)
- • broken
- • taken
- • given
- • written
- • seen
- • made
Exemplos de Frases
- • The room was cleaned.
- • The picture was taken.
- • The decision was made.
Exemplos por nível
The window was broken.
The window was broken.
The car was washed.
The car was washed.
The books were sold.
The books were sold.
The food was cold.
The food was cold.
The house was built in 1950.
The house was built in 1950.
The emails were sent at 9 AM.
The emails were sent at 9 AM.
The movie was directed by Spielberg.
The movie was directed by Spielberg.
Were the tickets bought yesterday?
Were the tickets bought yesterday?
The missing child was found in the park.
The missing child was found in the park.
The bridge was closed for repairs.
The bridge was closed for repairs.
My luggage was lost by the airline.
My luggage was lost by the airline.
The winners were chosen by a panel of experts.
The winners were chosen by a panel of experts.
The law was passed despite heavy opposition.
The law was passed despite heavy opposition.
The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment.
The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment.
The employees were notified of the changes via email.
The employees were notified of the changes via email.
The ancient ruins were discovered by accident.
The ancient ruins were discovered by accident.
The proposal was summarily rejected by the board.
The proposal was summarily rejected by the board.
The city was decimated by the earthquake of 1906.
The city was decimated by the earthquake of 1906.
The funds were misappropriated over a period of five years.
The funds were misappropriated over a period of five years.
The manuscript was painstakingly restored by conservators.
The manuscript was painstakingly restored by conservators.
The initiative was predicated upon the assumption of growth.
The initiative was predicated upon the assumption of growth.
The castle was besieged for months before it finally fell.
The castle was besieged for months before it finally fell.
The silence was broken only by the occasional cry of a gull.
The silence was broken only by the occasional cry of a gull.
The verdict was overturned on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
The verdict was overturned on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
Fácil de confundir
Learners use the active when they mean the passive, making it sound like objects performed actions.
Mixing up 'is/are' with 'was/were'.
Confusing 'was done' with 'was being done'.
Erros comuns
The car fixed yesterday.
The car was fixed yesterday.
The books was sold.
The books were sold.
I was borned in 1990.
I was born in 1990.
The window broken.
The window was broken.
The letter was wrote.
The letter was written.
The dinner was cook by my mom.
The dinner was cooked by my mom.
Was the work finish?
Was the work finished?
The thief was arrest.
The thief was arrested.
He was bit by a dog.
He was bitten by a dog.
The house was build in 2000.
The house was built in 2000.
The data was analyzed (when referring to multiple sets).
The data were analyzed.
Padrões de frases
The ___ was ___ by ___.
When was the ___ ___?
I wasn't ___ that ___.
Real World Usage
The suspect was arrested late last night.
The city was destroyed by fire in 1666.
Your order was shipped yesterday.
This video was made by my best friend!
The meeting was moved to Room 4.
The evidence was collected at the scene.
Ache o Receptor!
The cake was eaten by me.
Não Use Demais!
I baked the cake.
Domine os Verbos Irregulares
The window was broken.
Notícias e Relatórios Formais
The suspect was apprehended.
Smart Tips
Use the passive to sound professional and avoid pointing fingers.
Check if the verb before it is a past participle; if so, it's a passive sentence.
Use 'was taken' to describe the location or photographer.
If you don't know the V3, try adding -ed, but always double-check a dictionary for common verbs like 'see', 'give', and 'take'.
Pronúncia
Was/Were Stress
In passive sentences, 'was' and 'were' are usually unstressed (weak forms). The stress falls on the past participle.
-ed endings
Remember the three sounds of '-ed': /t/, /d/, and /ɪd/. 'Fixed' (/t/), 'Cleaned' (/d/), 'Painted' (/ɪd/).
Falling intonation for statements
The house was ↘built.
Conveys a completed fact.
Memorize
Mnemônico
W.W.P.P. -> Was/Were + Past Participle. Remember: 'What was performed?'
Associação visual
Imagine a factory conveyor belt. The product (the subject) is at the front, and the worker (the agent) is hidden behind a curtain. The focus is entirely on the finished product being 'was made'.
Rhyme
If the doer is unknown or just doesn't matter, use was or were to make the object flatter!
Story
A detective walks into a room. He doesn't say 'Someone stole the diamond.' He says, 'The diamond was stolen!' He focuses on the crime (the object) because he doesn't know the thief yet.
Word Web
Desafio
Look around your room. Find three things and say when they were made or where they were bought. (e.g., 'This lamp was bought in IKEA.')
Notas culturais
The passive is very common in British English to sound polite or indirect. Instead of saying 'You broke this,' a Brit might say 'This was broken,' to avoid blaming you directly.
In scientific papers globally, the passive is the standard to show objectivity. It suggests the results are true regardless of who did the experiment.
News headlines often drop the 'was/were' to save space, but the meaning remains passive.
The passive voice in English evolved from Old English, which used the verbs 'weorthan' (to become) and 'beon' (to be) with a past participle.
Iniciadores de conversa
Where were you born and raised?
Tell me about a famous historical event in your country.
Have you ever had something stolen?
What's the best gift you were ever given?
Temas para diário
Erros comuns
Test Yourself
The famous painting ___ last night.
Find and fix the mistake:
The books was delivered yesterday.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'La cena fue preparada por mi hermano.'
Answer starts with: ["T...
Score: /4
Exercicios praticos
8 exercisesThe letter ___ (post) yesterday morning.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
The windows was cleaned last week.
The chef prepared the meal.
We use 'was' for the subjects 'I, he, she, it' in the past passive.
A: Did you see the news? B: Yes, the bank ___ (rob) again!
Select the irregular one:
Active: 'They invited us.'
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesMany mistakes ___ during the first trial.
The secret code was broke by hackers.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Translate: 'Los resultados fueron publicados anoche.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the subjects with the correct form:
The ancient city ___ by an earthquake.
Many valuable items was lost in the fire.
Which of these sentences is correct?
Translate: 'Los documentos fueron firmados esta mañana.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Score: /11
Perguntas frequentes (8)
Use `by` only when the person or thing doing the action is important to the meaning. For example: 'The song was written by John Lennon.' If you say 'The room was cleaned by a cleaner,' it's usually better to just say 'The room was cleaned.'
No. You can only use it with 'transitive' verbs (verbs that take an object). You cannot use it with verbs like `go`, `sleep`, `happen`, or `arrive`.
Not at all! In fact, it's often more polite because it avoids blaming people. Saying 'The mistake was made' is softer than 'You made a mistake.'
We almost always use `was born` because being born is a finished action in the past. We only use 'is born' in very specific literary or religious contexts.
Move `was` or `were` to the start of the sentence. Example: 'Was the car stolen?'
In informal English, yes. 'I got fired' is the same as 'I was fired.' However, 'was' is better for writing and formal exams.
Yes, always. The passive voice cannot exist without the past participle (V3).
Because journalists often don't know who did the action (e.g., 'A man was killed') or they want to focus on the victim/event.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Voz pasiva (ser + participio) or Pasiva refleja (se)
English lacks the 'se' reflexive passive.
La voix passive (être + participe passé)
French participles must agree in gender and number with the subject.
Vorgangspassiv (werden + Partizip II)
The auxiliary verb is 'to become' in German, not 'to be'.
受身 (ukemi)
Japanese changes the verb ending rather than adding an auxiliary verb like 'was'.
المبني للمجهول (al-mabni lil-majhul)
Arabic does not use an auxiliary verb like 'was' to form the passive.
被字句 (bèi zì jù)
Chinese verbs do not change form (no participles).
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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