It was built in 1890: the passive
Say what is done or was done when the action matters more than who did it
What you'll be able to do
Describe processes, products, news and history: how something is made, where it was built, what was decided.
The idea
In the passive, the thing the action happens to comes first: be + past participle. Use it when who did it is unknown, obvious or less important.
- This bridge was built in 1890.we care about the bridge, not the builders
- Coffee is grown in many countries.a general process
- My bike was stolen last night.we don't know who stole it
- The book was written by a teacher from Nairobi.by + the person, when it matters
| Tense | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| present simple | am / is / are + participle | English is spoken here. |
| past simple | was / were + participle | The emails were sent yesterday. |
Common mistakes
The house built in 2005.The passive needs be: The house was built in 2005.The letters was sent.Plural: The letters were sent.This song was wrote by…Use the participle: was written by.It was made from my grandmother.The person who does it takes by: made by my grandmother.
Practice
- This bridge _____ in 1890.Options: was built · built · is building
Show the answer
was built — Past passive: was + past participle.
- Rice _____ in many parts of Asia.Options: is grown · grows by · is grow
Show the answer
is grown — A general process: present passive, is + participle.
- The windows _____ last week.Options: were cleaned · was cleaned · cleaned
Show the answer
were cleaned — Plural subject: were + participle.
- This song was written _____ a 16-year-old.Options: by · from · of
Show the answer
by — The person who did it: by.
- My bike _____ (steal) last night.
Show the answer
was stolen — Past passive: was + stolen.
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, then practised with questions you answer by choosing or typing. It comes back for review on later days, until you can use it without help.
More on this topic: The passive in English