Passive Forms
The passive voice is used to emphasize the receiver of an action rather than the doer. It shifts the focus of the sentence and is commonly used when the action itself is more important than who performed it. Understanding when and how to use passive forms is essential for B2-level English.
Simple Present Passive
Structure: am/is/are + past participle
Examples:
The office is cleaned twice a week.
These products are usually imported (by our company).
Our packages are delivered every morning.
English is spoken in many countries.
Simple Past Passive
Structure: was/were + past participle
Examples:
All the tickets were sold within an hour.
Were you given a refund?
The building was designed by a famous architect.
The letter was sent last week.
Present Perfect Passive
Structure: has/have been + past participle
Examples:
She has been invited to speak at the conference.
The order has been canceled.
The windows have been broken by the storm.
All the necessary forms have been completed.
Future Passive
Structure: am/is/are going to/will + be + past participle
Examples:
The meeting is going to be postponed until next week.
The goods will be checked before they’re shipped.
The new bridge is going to be opened next month.
Your request will be processed within 24 hours.
Present Continuous Passive
Structure: am/is/are + being + past participle
Examples:
Your application is being reviewed by our team.
Many goods are being imported at the moment.
The issue is being discussed by the board.
The building is being renovated this month.
Past Continuous Passive
Structure: was/were + being + past participle
Examples:
The situation was being monitored by security cameras.
The store wasn’t being used until now.
The documents were being prepared when the power went out.
The students were being tested all morning.
📌 Structure
When the doer is unknown or unimportant:
My car was stolen. (We don’t know who stole it)
Mistakes were made. (The focus is on the mistakes, not who made them)
When the action is more important than the doer:
The painting was created in 1889. (The focus is on the painting)
Coffee is grown in Colombia. (The focus is on coffee, not farmers)
In formal and academic writing:
It is generally accepted that… (Scientific writing)
It has been suggested that… (Academic papers)
In news reports and announcements:
The President will be elected tomorrow.
Five people were injured in the accident.
When you want to be tactful or diplomatic:
The deadline was missed. (Instead of “You missed the deadline”)
The budget has been exceeded. (Instead of “You exceeded the budget”)
Active vs. Passive Comparison
| Feature | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Subject + verb + object | Object + form of “be” + past participle (+ by agent) |
| Focus | On the doer of the action | On the receiver of the action |
| Use | When the subject is important or known | When the doer is unknown, unimportant, or obvious |
| Example (Present Simple) | The chef cooks the meal. | The meal is cooked (by the chef). |
| Example (Past Simple) | She wrote a letter. | A letter was written (by her). |
Ready to Describe Actions Without Naming the Doer in English?
Understanding and using passive forms is a fantastic step to making your English more flexible and formal, especially when the action is more important than who performs it (e.g., “The bridge was built in 1900″).
Do you want to practice forming passive sentences and use them effectively in various contexts? My online English classes offer fun, interactive ways to master passive forms and all other essential grammar points. You’ll get plenty of chances to speak and build your confidence.
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