B2 Spanish grammar
Spanish Passive Voice with Ser and the Past Participle
The Spanish passive voice with ser presents the affected person or thing as the grammatical subject. It is especially useful when the event, result, or named agent matters more than a neutral everyday description.
Ser passive
patient + ser in the event tense + agreeing past participle (+ por + agent)
Ser carries tense; the participle agrees in gender and number with the passive subject.
Building the ser passive
| Active | Passive | Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| El comité aprobó la propuesta. | La propuesta fue aprobada por el comité. | feminine singular |
| El comité aprobó las propuestas. | Las propuestas fueron aprobadas por el comité. | feminine plural |
| Picasso pintó el cuadro. | El cuadro fue pintado por Picasso. | masculine singular |
Use ser for the event; use estar to describe the resulting state: La puerta fue cerrada → La puerta está cerrada.
Spanish passive voice with ser: Build the passive with ser and an agreeing participle
Conjugate ser in the required tense and make the past participle agree in gender and number with the passive subject.
Las propuestas fueron aprobadas.Quick check
The letter was written yesterday.
Name a relevant agent with por
Add por plus the agent when who performed the action is important; omit the agent when it is unknown, obvious, or irrelevant.
La novela fue escrita por Isabel Allende.Distinguish an event with ser from a state with estar
Use ser plus participle to present the action or event; use estar plus participle to describe the resulting condition after that action.
La puerta fue cerrada a las ocho; después estuvo cerrada toda la noche.Common mistakes
Las propuestas fueron aprobado.
Las propuestas fueron aprobadas.
Unlike a participle after haber, a participle in the ser passive agrees with the subject.
La novela fue escrita de Isabel Allende.
La novela fue escrita por Isabel Allende.
The agent of a passive action is normally introduced by por.
La puerta estuvo cerrada por Ana a las ocho. (closing event intended)
La puerta fue cerrada por Ana a las ocho.
A named agent performing a timed action points to the event passive with ser.
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Passive voice with ser FAQ
What does passive voice with ser cover?
The Spanish passive voice with ser presents the affected person or thing as the grammatical subject. It is especially useful when the event, result, or named agent matters more than a neutral everyday description.
What is the first rule to remember?
Conjugate ser in the required tense and make the past participle agree in gender and number with the passive subject.
What is another important B2 pattern?
Add por plus the agent when who performed the action is important; omit the agent when it is unknown, obvious, or irrelevant.
How can I practise Spanish passive voice with ser?
Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.