The passive voice in Spanish is a grammatical construction that allows the speaker to focus on the action or the recipient of the action, rather than on who is performing it. It is commonly used in formal writing, journalism, and situations where the agent (the doer) is unknown, unimportant, or implied.
How It Works
The standard passive voice in Spanish is formed using the verb ser (to be) + past participle (e.g., escrito, leído, vendido). The past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.
What is the formula for the standard passive voice in Spanish?
ser + past participle (agrees with subject)
The standard passive voice in Spanish uses the verb ser followed by a past participle, which agrees in gender and number with the subject.
Formation Rules
To form the passive voice in Spanish, follow these steps:
- Conjugate ser in the desired tense.
- Use the past participle of the main verb.
- Make the past participle agree with the subject (singular/plural, masculine/feminine).
Examples
| Tense | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | La carta es escrita por María. | The letter is written by María. |
| Preterite | El libro fue leído por Juan. | The book was read by Juan. |
| Present Perfect | Los documentos han sido firmados. | The documents have been signed. |
| Future | La tarea será realizada mañana. | The task will be done tomorrow. |
| Past Imperfect | Las casas eran construidas en 1920. | The houses were built in 1920. |
Usage
The passive voice is used to:
- Emphasize the action or the recipient rather than the doer.
- Omit the agent when it is unknown or irrelevant.
- Maintain a formal or objective tone.
Examples
| Context | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasize action | La novela fue escrita en 1990. | The novel was written in 1990. |
| Agent unknown | El cuadro fue vendido por una suma alta. | The painting was sold for a high price. |
| Formal tone | Las reglas son establecidas por la administración. | The rules are established by the administration. |
Common Mistakes
- Using estar instead of ser (passive voice requires ser).
- Forgetting to make the past participle agree with the subject.
- Overusing passive voice in informal contexts.
Comparison with Other Constructions
- Passive with se: More common in spoken Spanish; agent is usually omitted or generalized.
- Active voice: Specifies the doer; more direct and informal.
Examples
| Type | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Passive with ser | El informe fue redactado por Ana. | The report was written by Ana. |
| Passive with se | Se redactó el informe ayer. | The report was written yesterday. |
| Active voice | Ana redactó el informe. | Ana wrote the report. |
What information does active voice always specify?
the doer of the action
Active voice sentences clearly state who performs the action (the subject).
Summary
The passive voice in Spanish uses ser + past participle to shift focus away from the doer and highlight the action or recipient. It is most common in formal writing and situations where the agent is unknown or unimportant.
How do you form the Spanish passive voice?
conjugate ser + past participle (agree with subject)
The passive voice requires ser + past participle with agreement.
Flashcards (1 of 11)
- Context: Emphasize action
- English Example: The novel was written in 1990.
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Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
