Understanding Passive Voice in English

Front

Present simple passive: "is made"

Back

cake is made every day.

Front

Present continuous passive: "is being built"

Back

new bridge is being built.

Front

Past simple passive: "was discovered"

Back

planet was discovered in 1995.

Front

Past continuous passive: "was being painted"

Back

house was being painted yesterday.

Front

Passive for process: "is processed"

Back

data is processed by the computer.

Front

Passive for action: "was written"

Back

letter was written by Sarah.

Front

Present simple passive: "are produced"

Back

are produced in this factory.

Front

Present continuous passive: "are being cleaned"

Back

windows are being cleaned now.

Front

Past simple passive: "were invented"

Back

were invented in the 19th century.

Front

Past continuous passive: "were being repaired"

Back

roads were being repaired last week.