1. Why & When to Use the Passive Voice
١. متى ولماذا نستخدم المبني للمجهول؟
In an active sentence, the subject performs the action. In a passive sentence, the focus shifts to the person or thing affected by the action (the object).
Focus on Action or Object
We use passive when what happened or what was produced is more important than who did it.
Active: [Agent] + Verb + [Object] ➔ Passive: [Object] + BE + Past Participle (+ by [Agent])
- Active: JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter. ➔ Passive: Harry Potter was written by JK Rowling.
- Active: Farmers grow dates in Al-Ahsa. ➔ Passive: Dates are grown in Al-Ahsa.
Unknown, Obvious, or Unimportant Agent
When the agent is unknown, obvious from context, or general people, we omit 'by'.
Object + BE + Past Participle (no 'by' phrase)
- My bicycle was stolen last night. (Unknown thief)
- Spanish is spoken in many South American countries. (General people)
2. Present Simple Passive: Form & Rules
٢. المبني للمجهول في المضارع البسيط (Present Simple Passive)
Used for facts, recurring processes, scientific truths, cultural traditions, and present situations.
Affirmative Form: am / is / are + Past Participle (V3)
Match 'be' to the new subject (singular 'is', plural 'are', 'I am').
Subject + am / is / are + Past Participle (V3)
- Traditional coffee is served in small cups across the Gulf.
- Millions of emails are sent every second worldwide.
Negative Form: am not / isn't / aren't + Past Participle (V3)
Add 'not' immediately after the auxiliary verb 'be'.
Subject + am not / isn't / aren't + Past Participle (V3)
- Plastic bottles aren't recycled in this facility.
- This ancient dialect isn't spoken anymore.
Question Form: Am / Is / Are + Subject + Past Participle (V3)?
Invert 'be' and the subject.
Is / Are + Subject + Past Participle (V3)? / (Wh-word) + is/are + Subject + V3?
- Is Arabic taught at international universities?
- Where are these luxury cars manufactured?
3. Past Simple Passive: Form & Rules
٣. المبني للمجهول في الماضي البسيط (Past Simple Passive)
Used for completed historical events, inventions, artwork creation, architecture, and past actions.
Affirmative Form: was / were + Past Participle (V3)
Use 'was' for singular subjects (I, he, she, it) and 'were' for plural subjects (we, you, they).
Subject + was / were + Past Participle (V3)
- The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century.
- The ancient ruins were discovered by archaeologists in 1922.
Negative Form: wasn't / weren't + Past Participle (V3)
Add 'not' after 'was' or 'were'.
Subject + wasn't / weren't + Past Participle (V3)
- The monument wasn't damaged during the storm.
- The secret documents weren't destroyed in the fire.
Question Form: Was / Were + Subject + Past Participle (V3)?
Invert 'was/were' and the subject.
Was / Were + Subject + Past Participle (V3)? / (Wh-word) + was/were + Subject + V3?
- When was the kingdom founded?
- Were the concert tickets sold out online?
4. The Agent with 'By' vs Prepositions with 'With' / 'From'
٤. استخدام (by) لذكر الفاعل والفرق بينها وبين الأدوات والمواد
We use 'by' ONLY when it is essential to name the creator, author, artist, or doer.
Agent with 'by' (Person or Organization doing the action)
Use 'by' followed by the agent name, title, or pronoun.
Passive Verb + by + Agent (person/author/organization)
- The symphony was composed by Beethoven.
- The new museum was designed by Zaha Hadid.
Instrument/Material with 'with' / 'from' (NOT 'by')
Use 'with' for instruments or tools, and 'from' / 'of' for materials.
Passive Verb + with + instrument/tool / made of + material
- The statue was carved with sharp steel chisels. (Instrument)
- The traditional pottery is made of natural red clay. (Material)
🇸🇦 Saudi Learner Pitfalls & High-Frequency Exam Traps
الأخطاء الشائعة لمتعلمي اللغة الإنجليزية وحيل الاختبارات الدقيقة
⚠️ Critical Pitfall 1: Dropping the Auxiliary Verb 'be' (*The car made in Japan*)
حذف فعل الكينونة المساعد (be/was/were) والاعتماد فقط على التصريف الثالث
In English, a passive verb MUST contain both 'be' (in correct tense) AND the past participle (V3). Without 'be', the sentence is ungrammatical.
*The novel written in 1960. / *These dates exported every year. (INCORRECT)
The novel was written in 1960. / These dates are exported every year. (CORRECT)
⚠️ Critical Pitfall 2: Using Base Verb or -ing instead of Past Participle (V3)
استخدام الفعل المجرد أو صيغة -ing بدلاً من التصريف الثالث (V3)
The passive always requires the Past Participle (V3). Never use base form or -ing after passive 'be'.
*The film was direct by Nolan. / *The building is construct now. (INCORRECT)
The film was directed by Nolan. / The building was constructed in 2020. (CORRECT)
⚠️ Critical Pitfall 3: Subject-Verb Agreement with 'Was' vs 'Were' and 'Is' vs 'Are'
عدم مطابقة فعل الكينونة مع الفاعل الجديد (المفرد والجمع)
Remember that the auxiliary 'be' must agree with the NEW subject (which was the object in the active sentence).
*The paintings was displayed in the gallery. (INCORRECT)
The paintings were displayed in the gallery. (CORRECT)
⚠️ Critical Pitfall 4: Confusing 'by' with 'with' or 'for'
الخلط بين حرف الجر (by) للفاعل و (with) للأداة المستخدمة
Use 'by' for the person or organization who created something, and 'with' for the instrument or tool used.
*The letter was written with John. / *The cake was cut by a knife. (INCORRECT)
The letter was written by John. / The cake was cut with a knife. (CORRECT)