Curriculum fit: GCSE English Language (grammar and writing style). US: Common Core ELA Language standards (grades 9-10).
On this page
What is it?
In an active sentence the subject performs the action: 'The chef cooked the meal.' In a passive sentence the subject receives the action: 'The meal was cooked by the chef.'
Active sentences are usually clearer and more direct. The passive is useful when the doer is unknown, unimportant or deliberately left out.
Key formulas and ideas
- Active: subject + verb + object.
- Passive: object becomes subject + a form of 'to be' + past participle + (by + doer).
- Example: 'The dog chased the cat' becomes 'The cat was chased by the dog.'
Worked examples
Active to passive
Change to the passive: 'The students wrote the report.'
- Move the object 'the report' to the front.
- Add 'was' and the past participle 'written'.
- Add 'by the students' at the end.
✓ Answer The report was written by the students.
Passive to active
Change to the active: 'The window was broken by a ball.'
- Find the doer: 'a ball'.
- Make it the subject: 'A ball broke the window.'
✓ Answer A ball broke the window.
Leaving out the doer
Why might a writer say 'Mistakes were made'?
- The passive allows the doer to be left out.
- This can hide who is responsible.
✓ Answer To avoid naming who made the mistakes
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the passive too often, which makes writing wordy and vague.
- Using the wrong form of the past participle.
- Mixing active and passive in the same sentence.
- Assuming the passive is always wrong. It is useful in scientific writing and formal reports.
Practice questions
Frequently asked questions
When should I use the passive?
When the action matters more than who did it, or when the doer is unknown, as in 'The bridge was built in 1890'.
How can I spot passive voice?
Look for a form of 'to be' plus a past participle, and possibly 'by' followed by the doer.
Keep going with these guides
Subject-verb agreement: rules and tricky cases
Make verbs agree with their subjects, including collective nouns, either/or and phrases that sit between the subject and the verb.
KS3GCSEMiddle SchoolHigh SchoolSimple, compound and complex sentences explained
Identify clauses and build simple, compound and complex sentences for clearer, more varied writing, with examples.
KS3GCSEMiddle SchoolHigh SchoolFormal letter and email writing: layout, tone and sign-off
Lay out a formal letter or email, choose the right sign-off and match your tone to your audience, with examples.
KS3GCSEMiddle SchoolHigh SchoolSources and review
- DfE: National curriculum in England, English programmes of study
- Common Core State Standards: English Language Arts and Literacy
Reviewed by StudyMorrow editorial review on 5 Nov 2026.