Passive Voice
English highlights actions with two main passives: the ser passive and the se passive. Choose based on whether you need to name an agent and on the nuance you want.
🌳Audio Example
Fue protegida una gran cantidad de selva amazónica.
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 highlights who did the action.
🌐Audio Example
El meme fue compartido por medio mundo.
Formation
To form the passive voice with ser, conjugate ser in the desired tense, add the agreeing past participle, and optionally include the agent with por.
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Usage
Use the ser passive in reports, news, and situations where the doer matters or when you want a clear and formal construction.
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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 |
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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.
🦄Audio Example
Se vendieron unicornios inflables por la campaña benéfica.
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.
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Usage
Use the se passive for general rules, ads, instructions, and when the doer is irrelevant or unknown.
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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 |
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Differences
The ser passive can name the agent and works across all tenses; the se passive generalizes and omits the agent. Choose based on whether you want to emphasize who did it.
🦅Audio Example
El dinero fue usado para salvar la selva.
🐆Audio Example
Se usó el dinero para salvar la selva.
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Summary
English and Spanish passives serve different functions: use the ser passive to highlight the agent and maintain formality, and use the se passive for general, agentless statements.
🦄Audio Example
Con cada unicornio vendido, se planta otro árbol en la selva.
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Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025