Avoiding the passive

Avoiding the passive

What is the difference?

English

Spanish passive

Only really used in formal writing

usually in the past tense

often no mention of by whom

has to agree

mi hermana fue atacada

passive is formed

Preterite of ser & past participle

Multiple Select

Which of these sentences are passive?

• the ring was stolen during the wedding

• Someone stole the ring during the wedding

• It was stolen during the wedding

• The theft of the ring occurred during the wedding

Multiple Select

Which sentences are NOT passive?

• unos jóvenes robaron mi monedero durante la fiesta

• mi monedero fue robado durante la fiesta

• se robó mi monedero durante la fiesta

Multiple Choice

Los criminales fueron detenidos en Santander

• Passive

• Active

Multiple Choice

Se alertó a las autoridades hace seis días

• Passive

• Active

So how to avoid the passive?

• Make the sentences active

• Use se + 3rd person (singular or plural) Preterite

Fill in the Blanks

Make ‘fue cambiado’ active. (Use se & 3rd person)

Fill in the Blanks

Make ‘fue criticado’ active.

(Use se & 3rd person)

Fill in the Blanks

Make ‘fue vendido ilegalmente’ active.

(Use se & 3rd person)

Fill in the Blanks

Make ‘se eligieron’ passive

Poll

How well do you understand the difference between active and passive?

• 👍

• 🤞

• 😱

Poll

Do you know how to avoid the passive?

• 🤞

• 🥴

• 😱

• 👍