Casa ESL · grammar guides · level B1–B2
The Passive Voice — Complete Guide with Examples
The passive (be + past participle) turns the spotlight from the doer to the done-to: "The bridge was built in 1932." Essential for formal writing, news, and science — and easier than its reputation.
Why and when to use it
Use the passive when the doer is unknown ("My bike was stolen"), obvious ("He was arrested"), unimportant ("Rice is grown in Asia"), or when you want to lead with the object ("The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo").
Add the doer only when it matters, with by: "The novel was written by a computer."
Forming it in every tense
The formula never changes: the verb be carries the tense, the main verb sits frozen as a past participle. Present: is made. Past: was made. Present perfect: has been made. Future: will be made. Continuous: is being made. Modal: must be made.
| Tense | Passive example |
|---|---|
| Present simple | These cars are built in Ontario. |
| Past simple | The tower was built in 1976. |
| Present perfect | A new wing has been built. |
| Future | The stadium will be built by 2030. |
| Present continuous | A bridge is being built downtown. |
| Modal | The report must be finished today. |
Common mistakes
✓ The email was sent yesterday.
Passive needs the participle: sent.
✓ The house was built in 1990.
The passive requires be.
✓ It happened at noon.
Happen has no passive — nothing receives the action.
Practice
- This wine ___ (produce) in Niagara.
show answer
is produced - The suspect ___ (question) by police right now.
show answer
is being questioned - The results ___ (announce) tomorrow.
show answer
will be announced
FAQ
How do I form the passive voice?
Use the correct tense of be plus the past participle: is made, was made, has been made, will be made. The participle never changes; be carries the tense.
When should I use the passive instead of the active?
When the doer is unknown, obvious, or unimportant, or when you want to emphasise the receiver of the action — common in news, science, and formal writing.
Which verbs cannot be passive?
Intransitive verbs — ones with no object — such as happen, arrive, sleep, die, fall. Nothing receives the action, so no passive is possible.
Want this to actually stick?
One-on-one lessons with a real teacher, or free worksheets for this level — your pace, your goals.
More guides: Present Simple · Past Simple · Present Continuous · Present Perfect