# 🛡️ Passive Voice ```json <{ "emoji": "🛡️", "tagline": "Passive Voice in Spanish: clear explanations and examples", "description": "The passive voice in Spanish shifts focus from the subject performing an action to the action itself or its recipient.", "metadata": { "language-from": "English", "language-to": "Spanish", "level": "B1", "name": "14d42488" }, "prompts": [ "Passive Voice" ], "name": "1afe3b13" }> ``` > The passive voice in Spanish shifts focus from the subject performing an action to the action itself or its recipient. The passive voice in Spanish highlights the action or the recipient of the action rather than who performs it. English has two main passives: the agentive passive with "by" and the more neutral passive voice. > 🌳 *Fue protegida una gran cantidad de selva amazónica.* (A large amount of the Amazon rainforest was protected.) --- ## Ser Passive The *ser* passive uses *ser* + past participle that agrees with the subject, and you can name the agent with *por*. It feels formal and is great when the doer matters. > 🌐 *El meme fue compartido por medio mundo.* (The meme was shared by half the world.) --- ### Formation To form the passive voice with *ser*, conjugate *ser* in the needed tense, add the agreeing past participle, and optionally include the agent with *por*. ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "6c9058cc", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "Las canciones ___ (ser) grabadas en el estudio.", "answer": [ "fueron" ], "translation": "The songs were recorded in the studio.", "emoji": "🎵", "explanation": "Plural subject 'las canciones' requires plural conjugation of 'ser' in the preterite: 'fueron' + participle 'grabadas'.", "name": "66174f93" }, { "quiz": "6c9058cc", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "La carta ___ (ser) escrita por mi abuela.", "answer": [ "es" ], "translation": "The letter is written by my grandmother.", "emoji": "✉️", "explanation": "Ser passive can appear in present tense: 'es' + past participle 'escrita' (feminine singular).", "name": "14a993e" }, { "quiz": "6c9058cc", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "When forming the ser passive, which element must agree with the subject?", "correct": [ "The past participle (gender and number)" ], "incorrect": [ "The preposition por", "The infinitive verb", "The subject pronoun (always omitted)" ], "emoji": "🧩", "explanation": "In ser passive, the past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject; 'por' is optional to name the agent.", "name": "77569dc7" } ], "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "name": "5b27ae80" }> ``` --- ### Usage Use the passive voice with *ser* in reports, news, and when you want to emphasize or specify who did the action. ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "3760f2a6", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which contexts commonly favor the ser passive in Spanish? (select all that apply)", "correct": [ "News reports and formal writing", "When you want to name the agent with por" ], "incorrect": [ "Everyday directions on signs", "Casual ads and informal instructions" ], "emoji": "📣", "explanation": "Ser passive is formal and useful for naming agents (por); se passive is more common in casual notices and instructions.", "name": "4ca9e27b" }, { "quiz": "3760f2a6", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "En el artículo científico se usó la voz pasiva para enfatizar los ___ (results).", "answer": [ "resultados" ], "translation": "In the scientific article, the passive voice was used to emphasize the results.", "emoji": "🔬", "explanation": "Translate 'result' in the plural Spanish context: 'resultados'.", "name": "443bb1fd" }, { "quiz": "3760f2a6", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "multiple-choice", "category": "fact", "prompt": "Which sentence best explains why an agent is included with por in ser passive?", "correct": [ "To specify who performed the action and add formality" ], "incorrect": [ "To hide who did the action", "Because se cannot be used in formal contexts", "To change the verb into an adjective" ], "emoji": "ℹ️", "explanation": "Including the agent with 'por' specifies the doer and is common in formal contexts; 'se' usually omits the agent.", "name": "2b34a38a" } ], "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "name": "5c2ba9ff" }> ``` --- ### Examples | Spanish Example | English Translation | Usage | | --- | --- | --- | | 🌎 *El meme fue compartido por millones para salvar la selva.* | The meme was shared by millions to save the rainforest. | Result with agent | | 📡 *El mensaje fue amplificado por influencers de varios países.* | The message was amplified by influencers from several countries. | Global reach | | 📰 *La historia fue publicada por medios internacionales.* | The story was published by international outlets. | Formal report | | 🌧️ *Miles de árboles fueron financiados por las ventas del meme.* | Thousands of trees were funded by the meme’s sales. | Outcome focus | ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "609a4b9c", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "La carta ___ (ser) escrita por Ana.", "answer": [ "fue" ], "translation": "The letter was written by Ana.", "emoji": "✉️", "explanation": "Passive formation: conjugate ser in the needed tense (pretérito).", "name": "1d70ada5" }, { "quiz": "609a4b9c", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "El mensaje ___ (ser) amplificado por influenciadores de todo el mundo.", "answer": [ "es" ], "translation": "The message is amplified by influencers worldwide.", "emoji": "📡", "explanation": "Present tense ser passive: 'ser' + past participle (amplificado).", "name": "60cb04d7" }, { "quiz": "609a4b9c", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "La obra fue terminada ___ (por/para) el equipo de voluntarios.", "answer": [ "por" ], "translation": "The work was finished by the volunteer team.", "emoji": "🛠️", "explanation": "Use 'por' to introduce the agent in ser passive.", "name": "7243817d" } ], "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "name": "5196a88e" }> ``` | Spanish Example | English Example | | --- | --- | | ☕ *El café fue servido por el camarero.* | The coffee was served by the waiter. | | 🥐 *Los croissants fueron calentados en el horno.* | The croissants were warmed in the oven. | | 🍵 *Las tazas fueron llenadas con té.* | The cups were filled with tea. | --- ## Se Passive The *se* passive uses *se* + third-person verb that agrees with the thing affected. It hides the agent and sounds natural in notices and everyday speech. > 🦄 *Se vendieron unicornios inflables por la campaña benéfica.* (Inflatable unicorns were sold for the charity campaign.) --- ### Formation To form the passive voice with *se*, place *se* before a third-person verb; make it singular or plural to match the noun, and do not add an agent. ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "4adf7a45", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "Se ___ (organizar) rutas de reforestación este año.", "answer": [ "organizaron" ], "translation": "Reforestation routes were organized this year.", "emoji": "🧭", "explanation": "Plural implied by 'rutas' → third-person plural 'organizaron' after 'se'.", "name": "b14056f" }, { "quiz": "4adf7a45", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "Se ___ (vender) mucho en la campaña benéfica. ", "answer": [ "vendió" ], "translation": "A lot was sold in the charity campaign.", "emoji": "💸", "explanation": "If the implied subject is singular or an uncountable idea, use singular verb: 'vendió'. Context determines number agreement.", "name": "302fb33c" }, { "quiz": "4adf7a45", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which is NOT allowed in the se passive formation?", "correct": [ "Adding 'por' to name the agent directly after se passive" ], "incorrect": [ "Putting se before a third-person verb", "Matching the verb number to the affected noun", "Using se passive in notices or general statements" ], "emoji": "🚫", "explanation": "Se passive typically omits the agent; while 'por' can appear in the sentence, adding an explicit agent directly after a se passive conflicts with its agentless nature.", "name": "1e728f99" } ], "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "name": "730a9fd" }> ``` --- ### Usage Use the passive voice with *se* for general rules, ads, instructions, and when the doer is irrelevant or unknown. ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "18a45d0e", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which situations commonly use se passive? (select all that apply)", "correct": [ "Instructions and signs", "General notices and neutral statements" ], "incorrect": [ "Legal reports requiring named agents", "Formal academic papers that need to specify the doer" ], "emoji": "📋", "explanation": "Se passive is natural for instructions, ads, and notices where the agent is irrelevant; formal reports often use ser + participle to name agents.", "name": "3709ea96" }, { "quiz": "18a45d0e", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "En el cartel se ___ (buscar) voluntarios para plantar árboles. ", "answer": [ "buscan" ], "translation": "On the poster, volunteers are sought to plant trees.", "emoji": "📣", "explanation": "'Voluntarios' plural → verb must be plural: 'se buscan'.", "name": "38247b82" }, { "quiz": "18a45d0e", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "multiple-choice", "category": "fact", "prompt": "Why might a speaker choose se passive over ser passive?", "correct": [ "To avoid naming who did the action and sound neutral" ], "incorrect": [ "Because se passive requires a past participle agreement", "Because se passive always sounds more formal", "To emphasize the agent" ], "emoji": "🙈", "explanation": "Se passive hides the agent and is neutral; it does not emphasize the doer or require participle agreement.", "name": "1d2238d9" } ], "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "name": "7fd9a4e" }> ``` --- ### Examples | Spanish Example | English Translation | Usage | | --- | --- | --- | | 🌱 *Se protegió una gran parte de la selva con lo recaudado.* | A large part of the rainforest was protected with the funds raised. | Se passive, singular | | 📲 *Se compartió el meme en todas las redes.* | The meme was shared on all the networks. | Agentless tone | | 🎟️ *Se donaron entradas a quienes plantaron árboles.* | Tickets were donated to those who planted trees. | Neutral notice | | 🧭 *Se organizaron rutas de reforestación en cinco países.* | Reforestation routes were organized in five countries. | Generalized action | ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "48dc8a4d", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "Se ___ (vender) muchas entradas para el evento.", "answer": [ "vendieron" ], "translation": "Many tickets were sold for the event.", "emoji": "🎟️", "explanation": "Se passive: use se + third-person plural to agree with plural noun (entradas).", "name": "6a6661a6" }, { "quiz": "48dc8a4d", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "Se ___ (organizar) una ruta de reforestación en la ciudad.", "answer": [ "organizó" ], "translation": "A reforestation route was organized in the city.", "emoji": "🧭", "explanation": "Se passive: use se + third-person singular for singular affected noun (ruta).", "name": "4929fec2" }, { "quiz": "48dc8a4d", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "En los anuncios se usa la voz pasiva con ___ (se/por) para omitir al agente.", "answer": [ "se" ], "translation": "In advertisements, the passive voice with 'se' is used to omit the agent.", "emoji": "📢", "explanation": "Se passive hides the agent; do not add 'por' when using se passive.", "name": "b396569" } ], "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "name": "7bbdc57c" }> ``` | Spanish Example | English Example | | --- | --- | | 🧾 *Se sirvió café a las mesas.* | Coffee was served to the tables. | | 🧼 *Se limpiaron las mesas después de cerrar.* | The tables were cleaned after closing. | | 🍰 *Se vendieron todos los pasteles antes de las cinco.* | All the pastries were sold before five. | --- ## Differences The *ser* passive can name the agent and works across all tenses; the *se* passive generalizes and omits the agent. > 🦅 *El dinero fue usado para salvar la selva.* (The money was used to save the jungle.) > 🐆 *Se usó el dinero para salvar la selva.* (The money was used to save the jungle.) ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "6ed0c048", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which reason would make you choose the ser passive instead of se?", "correct": [ "You want to name the doer with 'por'", "You need to use a tense other than the present or preterite" ], "incorrect": [ "You want to hide the agent", "You are making a general instruction" ], "emoji": "⚖️", "explanation": "Ser passive can include the agent (por) and works in all tenses; se is agentless and often neutral.", "name": "6b58858f" }, { "quiz": "6ed0c048", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which contexts typically use se passive? (choose multiple)", "correct": [ "Signs and instructions", "Advertisements and general notices" ], "incorrect": [ "Formal news reports naming the agent", "Legal documents requiring detailed agents" ], "emoji": "🗺️", "explanation": "Se passive is common in everyday, neutral contexts; ser passive is preferred for formal reports and naming agents.", "name": "1fa38aa9" }, { "quiz": "6ed0c048", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which statement is true about agreement in se passive?", "correct": [ "The verb agrees in number with the noun affected by the action." ], "incorrect": [ "The past participle must agree with se.", "The agent is always included with 'por'." ], "emoji": "🔧", "explanation": "In se passive, use se + third-person verb that agrees with the subject; do not add por for the agent.", "name": "5812b782" } ], "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "name": "227ceec9" }> ``` --- ## Summary Use *ser* + past participle to highlight the action and optionally the agent, and use *se* + third-person verb for neutral, agentless statements common in signs and everyday language. > 🦄 *Con cada unicornio vendido, se planta otro árbol en la selva.* (With every unicorn sold, another tree gets planted.) ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "5cafb626", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "La selva ___ (ser) protegida gracias a la campaña.", "answer": [ "fue" ], "translation": "The rainforest was protected thanks to the campaign.", "emoji": "🌳", "explanation": "This is the ser passive in the preterite: 'ser' → 'fue' + past participle agreeing with 'la selva' (feminine singular).", "name": "7106279a" }, { "quiz": "5cafb626", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "multiple-choice", "category": "rule", "prompt": "Which statement about Spanish passive voice is NOT true?", "correct": [ "The se passive can name the agent with por" ], "incorrect": [ "The ser passive uses ser + past participle", "The se passive uses se + third-person verb", "The ser passive often appears in formal reports" ], "emoji": "❗", "explanation": "The se passive omits the agent and does not use 'por' to name the doer; only the ser passive typically names the agent with 'por'.", "name": "7304de19" } ], "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "name": "3100bdac" }> ``` --- ## Pasiva con ser The passive voice with *ser* turns the past participle into an adjective that agrees with the subject, and it often includes the agent introduced by *por*. Use this passive to emphasize the completed action and sometimes who did it. --- ### Formation Form the passive voice with *ser* by using the appropriate tense of *ser* + the past participle that agrees in gender and number with the subject. The agent can be added with *por* if needed. --- ### Examples | Spanish Example | English Example | | --- | --- | | 🍊 *Las naranjas fueron exprimidas por el barista.* | The oranges were squeezed by the barista. | | 🥣 *La sopa fue calentada en la cocina.* | The soup was heated in the kitchen. | | 🍶 *La leche fue pasteurizada antes de llegar al café.* | The milk was pasteurized before arriving at the café. | --- ### Uses Use the passive voice with *ser* for official statements, news reports, and when you want to highlight the action or include the agent. It works well for actions with a clear result. ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "7801f2d4", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "La decisión ___ (ser) tomada por el comité ayer.", "answer": [ "fue" ], "translation": "The decision was made by the committee yesterday.", "emoji": "📑", "explanation": "Ser passive in pretérito: conjugate ser + past participle (tomada) agreeing with subject (la decisión).", "name": "23963c3" }, { "quiz": "7801f2d4", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "Las calles ___ (ser) limpiadas por los voluntarios cada semana.", "answer": [ "son" ], "translation": "The streets are cleaned by volunteers every week.", "emoji": "🧹", "explanation": "Ser passive in present tense: 'son' + participio (limpiadas) agreement with plural feminine subject (las calles).", "name": "51870393" }, { "quiz": "7801f2d4", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "El agente se introduce con ___ (por/para) en la pasiva con ser.", "answer": [ "por" ], "translation": "The agent is introduced with 'por' in the ser passive.", "emoji": "🔍", "explanation": "Use 'por' to name the agent after ser + past participle.", "name": "420898dd" } ], "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "name": "4c4f1cf5" }> ``` --- ## Pasiva con se The passive voice with *se* is impersonal and more common in everyday language. It omits the agent and keeps the focus on the action or rule, making it useful for instructions and generalizations. --- ### Formation Form the passive voice with *se* by placing *se* before a verb that agrees in number with the thing affected: use the third-person singular for singular nouns and the third-person plural for plural nouns. No agent is expressed. --- ### Examples | Spanish Example | English Example | | --- | --- | | 🧑‍🍳 *Se prepararon veinte sándwiches para el evento.* | Twenty sandwiches were prepared for the event. | | 🧴 *Se desinfectaron las manos antes de cocinar.* | Hands were disinfected before cooking. | | 🗑️ *Se recogió la basura al cerrar el local.* | The trash was collected at closing. | --- ### Uses Use *se* for passive constructions in advertisements, signs, recipes, and when the doer is unimportant or unknown. It sounds natural and is widely used in spoken Spanish. ```json <{ "type": "quiz", "exercises": [ { "quiz": "4c26bedf", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "Se ___ (leer) todas las cartas de agradecimiento.", "answer": [ "leyeron" ], "translation": "All the thank-you letters were read.", "emoji": "📬", "explanation": "Se passive: verb agrees with the plural noun (cartas) → se leyeron.", "name": "562689e8" }, { "quiz": "4c26bedf", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "conjugation", "text": "Se ___ (ver) un aumento en las donaciones este mes.", "answer": [ "ve" ], "translation": "An increase in donations is seen this month.", "emoji": "📈", "explanation": "Se passive: use se + third-person singular when the implied subject is singular (aumento).", "name": "2ca69148" }, { "quiz": "4c26bedf", "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "type": "exercise", "question": "fill-in-blank", "category": "vocabulary", "text": "En avisos y recetas se usa la voz pasiva con ___ (se/por) para omitir al autor.", "answer": [ "se" ], "translation": "In notices and recipes, passive voice with 'se' is used to omit the author.", "emoji": "🍽️", "explanation": "Se passive is agentless and common in instructions and general statements.", "name": "6b819716" } ], "topic": "spanish/grammar/voice/passive-voice", "name": "4a6674e1" }> ``` --- ## Diferencias The passive voice with *ser* is more formal and can name the agent, while the passive voice with *se* is more neutral and anonymous. Choose based on whether you need to mention who did the action and the tone you want. --- ## Resumen Remember that *ser* + past participle is the agentive passive useful for highlighting actions and agents, while *se* + verb is the impersonal passive for general, agentless statements. Practice both to sound natural in different contexts.