The passive voice highlights the action or the recipient of the action rather than who performs it. Use the passive voice to focus on the result, to be impersonal, or when the agent is unimportant or unknown.
Formation
The passive voice is formed with the appropriate form of to be plus the past participle of the main verb. Make sure to match number and tense.
Passive Voice in Different Tenses
Here are examples of the passive voice formed in common tenses using an English verb.
| Tense | Passive Voice | Active Voice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | is/are + past participle | : someone (sing./pl.) + base form (+s) | |
| Past Simple | was/were + past participle | someone (sing./pl.) + past form | |
| Future Simple | will be + past participle | someone + will + base form | |
| Present Perfect | has/have been + past participle | someone + has/have + past participle |
Passive Voice with Modals
Modals are followed by be plus the past participle to form the passive.
| Modal | Passive Voice | Active Voice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| can | can be + past participle | someone can + base form | |
| must | must be + past participle | someone must + base form | |
| should | should be + past participle | someone should + base form | |
| might | might be + past participle | someone might + base form |
Agent
The agent—the doer of the action—can be introduced with by if it is important to mention. Otherwise, omit the agent to keep the focus on the action or result.
Uses
Use the passive voice to emphasize the action, to give an impersonal tone, to hide the agent, or to highlight the recipient of an action. It is common in reports, instructions, and formal writing.
Summary
The passive voice shifts focus from the doer to the action or recipient by using to be + past participle. Include the agent with by only if needed. Use the passive for emphasis, neutrality, or when the agent is unknown or irrelevant.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025