English Grammar Guide


The Passive Voice: Past Simple Tense


Grammar - The Passive Voice in the Past Simple

In the passive voice, we use the verb be and the past participle (V3). In the past, be has the forms was and were.

  • BEwas/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 Simple

SUBJ.BE + V3byOBJ. (passive)
Harry Potterwas writtenbyJK Rowling.
The motorcarwas inventedbyKarl Benz.
The dinosaurswere killedbya 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 Tenses

SUBJ.BE + V3byOBJ.
Heis being testedbythe examiner.
Theywere being watchedbythe police.
Ihave been promotedbymy boss.
Hewill be arrestedbythe police.
Symbols & Abbreviations
OBJ.Object
PAST CON.Past Continuous
PREP.Preposition
PRES. CON.Present Continuous
SUBJ.Subject
V3Past Participle

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