English Grammar Guide The Passive Voice: Past Simple Tense Grammar -   The Passive Voice in the Past SimpleIn the passive voice, we use the verb be    and the past participle  (V3 ). In the past, be    has the forms was    and were  .
BE  → was /were SUBJECT +  was /were  +  V3  +  by +  OBJECT Gravity was  discovered  by Newton. SUBJECT +  was /were  +  V3  +  PREPOSITION ... Pluto was  discovered  in 1930. Examples -   Passive Voice in the Past SimpleSUBJ. BE  +  V3 by OBJ. (passive) Harry Potter was  written by JK Rowling. The motorcar was  invented by Karl Benz. The dinosaurs were  killed by a comet. 
⚠  Be Careful!In the passive voice, the verb be    takes the same form as be    in the active voice of the tense .
BE    changes to its form in any tense :are /are /is  +  being  +  V3  (PRES. CON. )was /were  +  being  +  V3  (PAST CON. )have /has  +  been  +  V3  (PRES. PERFECT )will  +  be  +  V3  (FUTURE )Examples -   Passive Voice in Different TensesSUBJ. BE  +  V3 by OBJ. He is being  tested by the examiner. They were being  watched by the police. I have been  promoted by my boss. He will be  arrested by the police. 
Symbols & Abbreviations OBJ. Object PAST CON. Past Continuous PREP. Preposition PRES. CON. Present Continuous SUBJ. Subject V3 Past Participle 
 
            
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