B2 — Upper intermediateGrammar· Passive
The Passive Voice
Form the passive in all main tenses and know when it is the natural choice.
16 min Medium
Form
- be + past participle: The report is written / was written / has been written / will be written / is being written.
- The agent is added with by only when it matters: The law was passed by parliament.
When we use it
- The action matters more than the person: The bridge was built in 1930.
- The agent is unknown or obvious: My bike has been stolen.
- Formal and academic writing: The samples were analysed.
Verbs with two objects allow two passives: I was given a prize / A prize was given to me.