passive voice
 Home 

Two common ways of expressing the passive voice are either using se or ser + past participle.

 

Passive using se

Something that happens when agent is unknown:

Aquí se habla inglés – English is spoken here (here, [some]one speaks English)

Se come bien en España – One eats well in Spain

Se venden sombreros en esta tienda – Hats are sold in this store

 

Passive using ser + past participle

The past participle is an adjective, here, so must agree with the subject’s number and gender.

El cine fue construido en 1999 – the cinema was constructed in 1999

Ayer fue inaugurada una nueva autopista – yesterday a new motorway was inaugurated

Los ladrones fueron detenidos a las tres – the thieves were arrested at 3

Mañana serán elegidas las mejores comidas – tomorrow they will choose the best meals


passive voice was last edited on 2022-01-26  
Topic: Spanish