7.6.1

Present Passive Voice

Test yourself

Present Passive Voice

To form the passive, use the present 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 1) Present tense of 'être'Illustrative background for 1) Present tense of 'être' ?? "content

1) Present tense of 'être'

  • This tense is only usually used with the il/elle/on or ils/elles form of 'être'.
    • Il/elle/on est - he/she/one is.
    • Ils/elles sont - they are.
Illustrative background for 2) Add past participleIllustrative background for 2) Add past participle ?? "content

2) Add past participle

  • Le match est joué - The match is played.
  • La police est avertie - The police is are warned.
  • Les livres sont lus - The books are read.
  • Les tartes sont faites - The tarts are made.
Illustrative background for Examples of passive sentencesIllustrative background for Examples of passive sentences ?? "content

Examples of passive sentences

  • Le livre est lu par de nombreuses personnes.
    • The book is read by many people.
  • La tarte aux pommes est mangée par moi.
    • The apple pie is eaten by me.
  • Les touristes sont vus comme une source d'espoir pour la population locale.
    • Tourists are seen as a source of hope by the local people.
  • Les pièces sont écrites par William Shakespeare.
    • The plays are written by William Shakespeare.

Jump to other topics

1Phonics/Alphabet/Spellings

1.1Alphabet & Accents

2Family & Home

3Lifestyle

4Education & Future Plans

5Leisure, Free Time & Media

6Wider World

7Grammar

7.1Present Tense

7.2Perfect Tense

7.3Imperfect Tense

7.4Future Tense

7.5Conditional Tense

7.6Passive

7.7Imperative

8Other Grammar

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson