Grammar / Passive Voice
Passive Voice: Explanation, Examples & Exercises
The passive voice puts the person or thing affected by an action first: The report was sent this morning. It is formed with be + the past participle, and we use it when the doer is unknown, obvious or less important than the action itself. Add by + agent only when the doer really matters.
Reviewed by Brando Oxley · 9 Aug 2026
Form
The passive is be + past participle. The tense lives in be, and the main verb stays a past participle: is made, was sent, has been approved, will be delivered.
Present simple: am / is / are + past participle — The office is cleaned every evening.
Past simple: was / were + past participle — The invoices were paid last week.
Present perfect: has / have been + past participle — Your order has been shipped.
Modal passive: modal + be + past participle — The form must be signed. The parcel can be collected tomorrow.
Only transitive verbs (verbs with an object) can be passive: the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive one.
Name the doer with by only when it adds information: The proposal was written by the finance team.
How it is used
Use the passive when the doer is unknown or unimportant: My bike was stolen last night. The bridge was built in 1890.
Use it when the doer is obvious from the context: The suspect was arrested (by the police — understood).
Use it to keep the focus on the action or result, common in reports, notices and instructions: Applications are reviewed within five days. Payment must be received by Friday.
Keep the by-phrase only when the doer is the new or important information: The vaccine was developed by a small team in Oxford.
Common errors
✗The email was send yesterday.
✓The email was sent yesterday.
The passive needs the past participle (sent), not the base form.
✗The report wrote by my colleague.
✓The report was written by my colleague.
A passive always needs a form of be: was written.
✗The keys was found in the car.
✓The keys were found in the car.
Be must agree with the subject: keys (plural) → were.
✗This medicine must be take twice a day.
✓This medicine must be taken twice a day.
After a modal + be, use the past participle: taken.
✗The results will announced tomorrow.
✓The results will be announced tomorrow.
Don't drop be — the future passive is will be + past participle.
Example sentences
Present and past
- The offices are cleaned every night.
- The contract was signed on Monday.
- Thousands of emails are sent every second.
Perfect and future
- Your parcel has been delivered to reception.
- The meeting has been moved to three o'clock.
- The new website will be launched next week.
Modals and notices
- Payment must be made within 30 days.
- Bags may be searched at the entrance.
- This door should not be blocked.
Exercise 1 — Fill the gaps
Complete each sentence, then tap to check your answer.
1.The report · to all managers yesterday.(send)
2.These shoes · in Italy.(make)
3.Your application · within five days.(review)
4.The parcel · to the wrong address last week.(deliver)
5.All visitors · to sign in at reception.(ask)
6.The bridge · over a hundred years ago.(build)
7.The form must · by both parties.(sign)
Exercise 2 — Choose the correct form
Tap an option to check it immediately.
1.The invoice ____ last Friday.
2.These cars ____ in Germany.
3.The results will ____ next week.
4.Your order has ____ shipped.
5.This medicine must ____ with food.