Grammar Lessons

Passive Voice

Rules, Processes & How Things Work

The passive shifts focus from who does something to what happens — or to the action itself. It's common in formal English, descriptions of processes, and talking about rules and institutions.

Intermediate · B1 Lesson ready

Grammar Focus

Shifting focus from the doer to the action or result.

Structure & Tenses

All passive forms use be + past participle. The tense changes through the form of be.

present am/is/are + past participle — "Decisions are made at the top."

past was/were + past participle — "The policy was introduced last year."

future will be + past participle — "The results will be announced tomorrow."

by Use by to say who did it (when relevant) — "The project was led by the senior team."

When do we use it?

The doer is unknown

We don't know or it doesn't matter who did it.

"My bag was stolen."

Focus on the result

The action or result is more important than who did it.

"A new law was passed."

Formal or impersonal tone

In reports, processes, and professional communication.

"Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis."

Vocabulary in Context

Six phrasal verbs that come up naturally in passive constructions when talking about systems and processes.

carry out

Meaning

To perform or complete a task, investigation, or procedure.

Example

"Tests are carried out before any product is released to the public."

Conversation questions

What kinds of checks or tests are carried out in your workplace or industry?
Do you think enough research is carried out before new laws or policies are introduced?

bring up

Meaning

To raise a topic in conversation; also to raise a child.

Example

"The issue was brought up at the last meeting but was never properly addressed."

Conversation questions

Are there topics that are never brought up in your workplace or family? Why not?
How were you brought up — what values were passed on to you?

take over

Meaning

To take control of something — a company, a role, a situation.

Example

"The company was taken over by a larger corporation last year."

Conversation questions

Do you think too many small businesses are being taken over by large corporations?
Have you ever been in a situation where your role was taken over by someone else?

set up

Meaning

To establish, organise, or prepare something.

Example

"A committee was set up to investigate the complaint."

Conversation questions

Have you ever been part of something that was set up to solve a specific problem?
What systems or processes do you think should be set up in your workplace or community?

hand over

Meaning

To give responsibility, control, or an object to someone else.

Example

"Power was handed over peacefully after the election."

Conversation questions

Do you find it easy to hand over control of a project to someone else?
When should responsibility be handed over to younger generations — in politics, in companies, in families?

turn down

Meaning

To reject or refuse a request, application, or offer.

Example

"Her application was turned down twice before she was finally offered the position."

Conversation questions

Have you ever been turned down for something you really wanted? How did you handle it?
Do you think rejection is handled well in most organisations, or is the process often too impersonal?

Conversation Practice

Questions grouped by theme. Try to use passive structures in your answers — focus on the action, not always the person who did it.

Rules & Systems

What rules are you expected to follow at work or school — and do you agree with them?
Are there any rules in your country that you think should be changed?
Who are decisions usually made by in your workplace — is the process transparent?

Society & Institutions

How are children taught to behave in your culture? What values are passed on most strongly?
Do you think powerful people are treated differently when they break rules?
What topics are rarely brought up in public life in your country — and why?

Your Own Experience

Have you ever been turned down for something? Looking back, how do you feel about it now?
Have you ever been put in charge of something important? How was that responsibility handed to you?
Is there something at your workplace or in your community that you think should be set up or changed?