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In English we use the passive voice when :
In passive sentences we can use 'by' to say who or what did the action. This is called the agent.
The passive voice is used when focusing on the person or thing affected by an action. Only verbs that take an object can be used in the passive voice.
The main verb is always in its past participle form.
Example Sentences :
Other passive structures :
After verbs followed by a gerund we use being + past participle.
eg. Some people enjoy being told what to do.
After verbs followed by the infinitive with to we use to be + past participle.
eg. Children need to be brought up in a loving environment.
After prepositions we use being + past participle.
eg. She dreams of being chosen to represent England in the Olympics.
After the first/ second/ last (+noun) we use to be + past participle.
eg. The first events to be announced were the acrobats and the clown show.
After have to and used to we use be + past participle.
eg. The graduation party had to be called off due to bad weather.
Note for use of the passive :
In English we don't use the present perfect continuous and past perfect continuous in the passive!
| Present simple passive example sentences | |
|---|---|
| What is Pinocchio made of, dear? | ¿De qué está hecho Pinocho, querida? |
| We need an app that can tell us when pictures are taken... | Necesitamos una aplicación que nos diga cuándo fueron tomadas las fotografías... |
| Of course, it's called the Windmill. | Por supuesto, se llama el Molino de viento. |
| Really, I'm sure it's normally done before the winter, not after! | En serio, estoy seguro que eso normalmente se hace después del invierno, ¡no después! |
| Asking if pets are allowed in the house, maybe? | ¿Preguntar si se permiten mascotas en la casa, tal vez? |
| Let me check, it's written on the paper. | Déjame revisar, está escrito en un papel. |
| It is called Murphy's law. | Se llama la ley de Murphy. |
