Пассивный залог английского: образование, случаи употребления

Настоящее пассивное

"The report is written every week"

Someone writes the report weekly (present simple passive)

"The report is written every week by the marketing team."

Настоящее пассивное

"Mistakes are made"

People make mistakes — a general truth in passive

"Mistakes are made, but the important thing is to learn from them."

Настоящее пассивное

"The car is being repaired"

Someone is repairing the car right now (present continuous passive)

"The car is being repaired at the garage — it will be ready tomorrow."

Настоящее пассивное

"English is spoken here"

People speak English in this place

"English is spoken here, so you don't need a translator."

Настоящее пассивное

"The windows are cleaned every month"

Someone cleans the windows monthly

"The windows are cleaned every month by a professional service."

Настоящее пассивное

"The data is being processed"

A system or person is processing the data at this moment

"Please wait — the data is being processed by the server."

Настоящее пассивное

"New employees are trained online"

The company trains new employees via online courses

"New employees are trained online during their first two weeks."

Настоящее пассивное

"The package is delivered to the door"

A courier delivers the package directly to the door

"The package is delivered to the door within 24 hours of ordering."

Прошедшее пассивное

"The letter was signed by the manager"

The manager signed the letter (past simple passive)

"The letter was signed by the manager before it was sent."

Прошедшее пассивное

"The bridge was built in 1920"

Workers built the bridge in 1920

"The bridge was built in 1920 and is still in use today."

Прошедшее пассивное

"The meeting was cancelled"

Someone cancelled the meeting

"The meeting was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict."

Прошедшее пассивное

"The files were being uploaded"

Someone was uploading the files at a specific past moment (past continuous passive)

"The files were being uploaded when the connection dropped."

Прошедшее пассивное

"He was arrested last night"

Police arrested him last night

"He was arrested last night and released this morning."

Прошедшее пассивное

"The invoice was sent on Monday"

Someone sent the invoice on Monday

"The invoice was sent on Monday, but payment has not arrived yet."

Прошедшее пассивное

"The rules were changed without notice"

Someone changed the rules without informing anyone

"The rules were changed without notice, which frustrated many employees."

Прошедшее пассивное

"The project was completed on time"

The team finished the project by the deadline

"Despite the challenges, the project was completed on time and within budget."

Совершённое пассивное

"The problem has been fixed"

Someone has fixed the problem (present perfect passive)

"The problem has been fixed — you can log in again now."

Совершённое пассивное

"Three emails have been sent"

Someone has sent three emails so far

"Three emails have been sent, but we haven't received a reply."

Совершённое пассивное

"The report had been submitted before the deadline"

Someone submitted the report before the deadline (past perfect passive)

"The report had been submitted before the deadline, so we were not penalised."

Совершённое пассивное

"The decision has been made"

Someone has made the decision (finality implied)

"The decision has been made — we are moving to the new office in January."

Совершённое пассивное

"The contract has been reviewed by legal"

The legal team has reviewed the contract

"The contract has been reviewed by legal and is ready to sign."

Совершённое пассивное

"All tickets have been sold"

Buyers have purchased every available ticket

"All tickets have been sold — the concert is fully booked."

Совершённое пассивное

"The evidence had been destroyed"

Someone had destroyed the evidence before a later point

"By the time the police arrived, the evidence had been destroyed."

Совершённое пассивное

"The app has been updated to version 3.0"

The development team has released version 3.0

"The app has been updated to version 3.0 with several new features."

Пассивное с модальными

"This must be done today"

It is necessary for someone to do this today

"This must be done today — the deadline cannot be moved."

Пассивное с модальными

"The form should be completed in full"

It is advisable or required to fill in every part of the form

"The form should be completed in full before submission."

Пассивное с модальными

"The package can be collected at reception"

It is possible to pick up the package at reception

"The package can be collected at reception between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m."

Пассивное с модальными

"Mistakes could be avoided"

It was possible to prevent the mistakes

"With better planning, these mistakes could be avoided."

Пассивное с модальными

"The results may be published next month"

There is a possibility the results will be published next month

"The results may be published next month if the review is completed."

Пассивное с модальными

"This issue might be caused by the update"

The update is possibly the cause of the issue

"This issue might be caused by the latest update — we are investigating."

Пассивное с модальными

"The fee will be refunded within 5 days"

Someone will return the fee to you within 5 days

"The fee will be refunded within 5 days of your cancellation request."

Пассивное с модальными

"Your request cannot be processed"

It is not possible to process your request

"Your request cannot be processed without a valid ID number."

Пассивное в репортаже

"It is said that prices will rise"

People say that prices will increase (impersonal reporting)

"It is said that prices will rise significantly next year."

Пассивное в репортаже

"He is believed to be innocent"

People believe he is innocent

"He is believed to be innocent, and his lawyers are confident of an acquittal."

Пассивное в репортаже

"It is reported that ten people were injured"

News sources report that ten people were hurt

"It is reported that ten people were injured in the accident on the motorway."

Пассивное в репортаже

"The CEO is known to prefer email"

People know that the CEO prefers to communicate by email

"The CEO is known to prefer email over phone calls for formal decisions."

Пассивное в репортаже

"It is thought that the policy will change"

Many people think the policy will be changed

"It is thought that the policy will change after the upcoming election."

Пассивное в репортаже

"The suspect is alleged to have fled the country"

Authorities allege that the suspect has left the country

"The suspect is alleged to have fled the country on a private flight."

Пассивное в репортаже

"It is estimated that 2 million people watched the broadcast"

Analysts estimate that 2 million viewers watched

"It is estimated that 2 million people watched the live broadcast."

Пассивное в репортаже

"The drug is claimed to reduce cholesterol"

The manufacturer claims the drug lowers cholesterol

"The drug is claimed to reduce cholesterol by up to 30% within three months."

Когда использовать пассив

"The thief was caught (actor unknown)"

Use passive when you do not know or need not mention the agent

"The thief was caught late last night — police have not released a name."

Когда использовать пассив

"The vaccine was developed in record time"

Use passive to put emphasis on the result, not who did it

"The vaccine was developed in record time and approved by regulators."

Когда использовать пассив

"Visitors are asked to sign in at reception"

Use passive in formal instructions to sound impersonal and authoritative

"Visitors are asked to sign in at reception and wear a visitor badge at all times."

Когда использовать пассив

"The samples were heated to 200°C"

Use passive in scientific writing to focus on method, not researcher

"The samples were heated to 200°C and held at that temperature for one hour."

Когда использовать пассив

"Twelve people were made redundant"

Use passive when the speaker wants to avoid naming the responsible party

"Twelve people were made redundant as part of the restructuring programme."

Когда использовать пассив

"The policy is reviewed annually"

Use passive for ongoing institutional processes where no single agent is highlighted

"The policy is reviewed annually by the compliance committee."

Когда использовать пассив

"This tower was constructed in 1890"

Use passive in historical writing when the doer is less important than the object

"This tower was constructed in 1890 and remains the tallest building in the city."

Когда использовать пассив

"The active voice is preferred in most writing"

Know when to choose active — passive should be deliberate, not default

"The active voice is preferred in most writing because it is clearer and more direct."