12.7.2

Passive Voice: Future & Imperfect

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Future Passive Voice

To form the future passive, use the future tense of 'être' followed by a past participle. The passive is usually only used in the 'il/elle' and the 'ils/elles' forms.

Illustrative background for Step 1 - future tense of 'etre'Illustrative background for Step 1 - future tense of 'etre' ?? "content

Step 1 - future tense of 'etre'

  • Je serai - I will.
  • Tu seras - you (singular) will.
  • Il/elle/on sera - he/she/one will.
  • Nous serons - we will.
  • Vous serez - you (plural/formal) will.
  • Ils/elles seront - they will.
Illustrative background for Step 2 - add past participleIllustrative background for Step 2 - add past participle ?? "content

Step 2 - add past participle

  • Le match sera joué - the match will be played.
  • La nourriture sera mangée - the food will be eaten.
  • Les tartes seront faites - the tartes will be made.
  • Les lettres seront envoyées - the letters will be sent.
Illustrative background for Examples of passive sentencesIllustrative background for Examples of passive sentences ?? "content

Examples of passive sentences

  • Iron Man sera joué par Robert Downey Jnr.
    • Iron Man will be played by Robert Downey Jnr.
  • La nourriture sera mangée par nous.
    • The food will be eaten by us.
  • Les pâtisseries seront faites par le boulanger
    • The pastries will be made by the baker.
  • Les livres seront vendus par le magasin.
    • The books will be sold by the shop.

Imperfect Passive Voice

To form the imperfect passive, use the imperfect tense of 'être' followed by a past participle. The passive is usually only used in the 'il/elle' and the 'ils/elles' forms.

Illustrative background for Step 1 - imperfect tense of 'etre'Illustrative background for Step 1 - imperfect tense of 'etre' ?? "content

Step 1 - imperfect tense of 'etre'

  • J'étais - I was/used to be.
  • Tu étais - you (singular) were/used to be.
  • Il/elle/on était - he/she/one was/used to be.
  • Nous étions - we were/used to be.
  • Vous étiez - you (plural/formal) were/used to be.
  • Ils/elles étaient - they were/used to be.
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Step 2 - add past participle

  • Le devoir était fait - the homework was being done.
  • La plage était appréciée - the beach used to be well-liked.
  • Les tartes étaient faites - the tartes were being made.
  • Les lettres étaient écrites - the letters were being written.
Illustrative background for Examples of passive sentencesIllustrative background for Examples of passive sentences ?? "content

Examples of passive sentences

  • James Bond était joué par Sean Connery.
    • James Bond was being played by Sean Connery.
  • La viande était cuisinée par mon père.
    • The meat was being cooked by my dad.
  • Les tartes étaient détestées de tout le monde
    • The tarts were being hated by everyone.
  • Les gateaux étaient préparés par lui.
    • The cakes were being prepared by him.

Jump to other topics

1The Changing Nature of Family

2The 'cyber-society'

3The Place of Voluntary Work

4Diverse Society

5The Marginalised

6How Criminals Are Treated

7A Culture Proud of its Heritage

8Cinema: the 7th Art Form

9Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power?

10Politics & Immigration

11Conjugation & Use of Tenses

11.1Present Tense

11.2Perfect Tense

11.3Imperfect Tense

11.4Future Tense

11.5Conditional Tense

11.6Future Perfect Tense

11.7Conditional Perfect Tense

11.8Pluperfect Tense

12Extra Grammar

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