Active vs. Passive Voice in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the active and passive voice is crucial for mastering Spanish grammar and achieving fluency. This knowledge allows you to construct sentences with precision, clarity, and stylistic variation.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will provide a thorough exploration of the active and passive voice in Spanish, equipping you with the tools to use them effectively in your writing and speaking.

This article is designed for Spanish language learners of all levels, from beginners who are just starting to grasp basic sentence structure to advanced students who want to refine their writing and speaking skills. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to identify, construct, and use active and passive voice sentences with confidence.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of Active and Passive Voice
  • Active Voice
  • Passive Voice
• Structural Breakdown
  • Active Voice Structure
  • Passive Voice Structure
• Types and Categories of Passive Voice
  • Reflexive Passive
  • Passive Perifrástica
• Examples of Active and Passive Voice
  • Active Voice Examples
  • Passive Voice Examples
  • Reflexive Passive Examples
• Usage Rules
  • When to Use Active Voice
  • When to Use Passive Voice
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
  • Exercise 1: Identifying Active and Passive Voice
  • Exercise 2: Converting Active to Passive Voice
  • Exercise 3: Converting Passive to Active Voice
• Advanced Topics
  • Passive with ‘Se’
  • Impersonal ‘Se’
• FAQ Section
• Conclusion

Definition of Active and Passive Voice

The voice of a verb indicates the relationship between the subject and the action. In Spanish, as in English, there are two main voices: active and passive. Understanding this distinction is fundamental to constructing grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate sentences.

Active Voice

In the active voice, the subject performs the action. The subject is the agent, the one doing the verb’s action. Active voice sentences are typically more direct, concise, and easier to understand. The focus is on who or what is performing the action.

For example, in the sentence “Juan escribe una carta” (Juan writes a letter), Juan is the subject and he is performing the action of writing. The focus is on Juan.

Passive Voice

In the passive voice, the subject receives the action. The subject is no longer the agent but the recipient of the verb’s action.

Passive voice sentences are often used when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when the focus is on the action itself or the object receiving the action.

For example, in the sentence “La carta es escrita por Juan” (The letter is written by Juan), the letter is the subject, and it is receiving the action of being written. The focus is on the letter.

Structural Breakdown

The active and passive voice have distinct grammatical structures in Spanish. Recognizing these structures will help you identify and form sentences in each voice correctly.

Active Voice Structure

The basic structure of an active voice sentence in Spanish is:

Subject + Verb + (Object)

The object is optional depending on whether the verb is transitive (requires an object) or intransitive (does not require an object). For example:

• María come manzanas. (María eats apples.) – Transitive verb
• El niño duerme. (The child sleeps.) – Intransitive verb

Passive Voice Structure

The passive voice in Spanish is formed using the auxiliary verb ser (to be) followed by the past participle of the main verb. The agent (the one performing the action) is often introduced by the preposition por (by).

The basic structure of a passive voice sentence is:

Subject + Ser + Past Participle + (Por + Agent)

For example:

• El libro fue escrito por Gabriel García Márquez. (The book was written by Gabriel García Márquez.)

Here, “el libro” (the book) is the subject, “fue” is the auxiliary verb *ser* in the past tense, “escrito” is the past participle of the verb *escribir* (to write), and “por Gabriel García Márquez” indicates the agent.

Types and Categories of Passive Voice

Spanish has a couple of ways to express the passive voice. The two most common are the passive perifrástica (using “ser” + past participle) and the reflexive passive (using “se”).

Reflexive Passive

The reflexive passive uses the reflexive pronoun “se” to indicate that the subject is receiving the action. It is often used when the agent is unknown or unimportant.

The verb agrees in number (singular or plural) with the subject.

The structure is:

Se + Verb (3rd person singular or plural) + Subject

For example:

• Se venden casas. (Houses are sold.)
• Se habla español aquí. (Spanish is spoken here.)

Passive Perifrástica

This is the classic passive voice construction using the verb “ser” (to be) conjugated in the appropriate tense, followed by the past participle of the main verb. The past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject.

The structure is:

Subject + Ser (conjugated) + Past Participle (+ Por + Agent)

For example:

• La puerta fue cerrada por el conserje. (The door was closed by the concierge.)

Examples of Active and Passive Voice

Let’s explore various examples of active and passive voice in Spanish to solidify your understanding.

Active Voice Examples

The following table provides numerous examples of sentences written in the active voice, illustrating the subject performing the action.

Active Voice Examples Table

Spanish	English
El perro come la carne.	The dog eats the meat.
Nosotros estudiamos español.	We study Spanish.
Ella canta una canción.	She sings a song.
Tú lees un libro.	You read a book.
Yo escribo un correo electrónico.	I write an email.
Ellos juegan al fútbol.	They play soccer.
Mi madre cocina la cena.	My mother cooks dinner.
El sol ilumina la ciudad.	The sun illuminates the city.
El viento sopla las hojas.	The wind blows the leaves.
La lluvia moja la calle.	The rain wets the street.
El profesor explica la lección.	The teacher explains the lesson.
Los niños dibujan un cuadro.	The children draw a picture.
El jardinero corta el césped.	The gardener cuts the grass.
El carpintero construye la casa.	The carpenter builds the house.
El mecánico arregla el coche.	The mechanic fixes the car.
El panadero hornea el pan.	The baker bakes the bread.
El camarero sirve la comida.	The waiter serves the food.
El escritor escribe una novela.	The writer writes a novel.
El artista pinta un retrato.	The artist paints a portrait.
El músico toca el piano.	The musician plays the piano.
El fontanero arregla la tubería.	The plumber fixes the pipe.
El electricista instala la luz.	The electrician installs the light.
El dentista examina los dientes.	The dentist examines the teeth.
El médico cura al paciente.	The doctor cures the patient.
La enfermera cuida al enfermo.	The nurse cares for the sick person.
El policía persigue al ladrón.	The policeman chases the thief.
El bombero apaga el fuego.	The firefighter puts out the fire.
El granjero siembra el trigo.	The farmer plants the wheat.
El pescador pesca el pez.	The fisherman catches the fish.
El carnicero vende la carne.	The butcher sells the meat.

Passive Voice Examples

The following table shows the passive voice equivalents of some of the active voice examples above, illustrating how the subject receives the action. This table uses the *ser* + past participle construction.

Passive Voice Examples Table

Spanish	English
La carne es comida por el perro.	The meat is eaten by the dog.
El español es estudiado por nosotros.	Spanish is studied by us.
Una canción es cantada por ella.	A song is sung by her.
Un libro es leído por ti.	A book is read by you.
Un correo electrónico es escrito por mí.	An email is written by me.
El fútbol es jugado por ellos.	Soccer is played by them.
La cena es cocinada por mi madre.	Dinner is cooked by my mother.
La ciudad es iluminada por el sol.	The city is illuminated by the sun.
Las hojas son sopladas por el viento.	The leaves are blown by the wind.
La calle es mojada por la lluvia.	The street is wet by the rain.
La lección es explicada por el profesor.	The lesson is explained by the teacher.
Un cuadro es dibujado por los niños.	A picture is drawn by the children.
El césped es cortado por el jardinero.	The grass is cut by the gardener.
La casa es construida por el carpintero.	The house is built by the carpenter.
El coche es arreglado por el mecánico.	The car is fixed by the mechanic.
El pan es horneado por el panadero.	The bread is baked by the baker.
La comida es servida por el camarero.	The food is served by the waiter.
Una novela es escrita por el escritor.	A novel is written by the writer.
Un retrato es pintado por el artista.	A portrait is painted by the artist.
El piano es tocado por el músico.	The piano is played by the musician.
La tubería es arreglada por el fontanero.	The pipe is fixed by the plumber.
La luz es instalada por el electricista.	The light is installed by the electrician.
Los dientes son examinados por el dentista.	The teeth are examined by the dentist.
El paciente es curado por el médico.	The patient is cured by the doctor.
El enfermo es cuidado por la enfermera.	The sick person is cared for by the nurse.
El ladrón es perseguido por el policía.	The thief is chased by the policeman.
El fuego es apagado por el bombero.	The fire is put out by the firefighter.
El trigo es sembrado por el granjero.	The wheat is planted by the farmer.
El pez es pescado por el pescador.	The fish is caught by the fisherman.
La carne es vendida por el carnicero.	The meat is sold by the butcher.

Reflexive Passive Examples

The following table illustrates the reflexive passive construction with “se.” Notice how the agent is not specified, and the focus is on the action itself.

Reflexive Passive Examples Table

Spanish	English
Se venden coches.	Cars are sold.
Se habla español aquí.	Spanish is spoken here.
Se necesitan empleados.	Employees are needed.
Se busca camarero.	Waiter is wanted.
Se construyen casas.	Houses are being built.
Se reparan bicicletas.	Bicycles are repaired.
Se ofrecen clases de inglés.	English classes are offered.
Se alquilan habitaciones.	Rooms are rented.
Se come bien en este restaurante.	One eats well in this restaurant. / Good food is eaten in this restaurant.
Se vive bien aquí.	One lives well here. / Life is good here.
Se preparan comidas deliciosas.	Delicious meals are prepared.
Se sirven bebidas frías.	Cold drinks are served.
Se organizan eventos especiales.	Special events are organized.
Se prohíbe fumar.	Smoking is prohibited.
Se admiten tarjetas de crédito.	Credit cards are accepted.
Se aceptan devoluciones.	Returns are accepted.
Se busca soluciones.	Solutions are being sought.
Se escuchan ofertas.	Offers are being listened to.
Se dan clases particulares.	Private lessons are given.
Se hacen trabajos a domicilio.	Work is done at home.
Se imprimen documentos.	Documents are printed.
Se cortan el pelo.	Haircuts are given.
Se lavan coches.	Cars are washed.
Se planchan camisas.	Shirts are ironed.
Se arreglan ordenadores.	Computers are repaired.
Se limpian casas.	Houses are cleaned.
Se venden entradas.	Tickets are sold.
Se necesita ayuda.	Help is needed.
Se busca un socio.	A partner is wanted.
Se contratan empleados.	Employees are hired.

Usage Rules

Knowing when to use the active or passive voice is essential for effective communication. Both voices have their place, and the choice depends on the context and the message you want to convey.

When to Use Active Voice

Use the active voice when:

• You want to emphasize the actor or agent.
• You want to be direct and concise.
• The actor is known and important to the sentence.
• You want to create a more engaging and dynamic tone.

Active voice is generally preferred in most writing and speaking situations because it is clearer and more straightforward.

When to Use Passive Voice

Use the passive voice when:

• The actor is unknown or unimportant.
• You want to emphasize the action or the recipient of the action.
• You want to avoid assigning blame or responsibility.
• You are writing in a formal or scientific context where objectivity is important.

For example, in scientific writing, it’s common to use the passive voice to describe experiments, focusing on the process rather than the researcher. “El experimento fue realizado por el equipo” (The experiment was carried out by the team) could be shortened to “El experimento fue realizado” (The experiment was carried out) if the team is not relevant to the discussion.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using the active and passive voice in Spanish:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
El libro es escribir por Juan.	El libro es escrito por Juan.	The past participle “escrito” is required, not the infinitive “escribir.”
Se venden la casa.	Se vende la casa.	When the subject is singular (“la casa“), the verb must be in the singular form (“vende“).
Se vende casas.	Se venden casas.	When the subject is plural (“casas“), the verb must be in the plural form (“venden“).
Yo soy escrito la carta.	Yo escribo la carta.	This is an incorrect combination of active and passive voice. Use the active voice: “Yo escribo la carta” (I write the letter). If you want to use passive, it should be “La carta es escrita por mí“
La puerta fue cerrar.	La puerta fue cerrada.	The past participle “cerrada” must agree in gender and number with the subject “la puerta.”

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of the active and passive voice with the following exercises.

Exercise 1: Identifying Active and Passive Voice

Identify whether the following sentences are in the active or passive voice.

Instructions: Indicate whether each sentence is Active or Passive.

Sentence	Answer
El gato atrapó el ratón.
La ventana fue abierta por María.
Se habla inglés aquí.
Nosotros comemos pizza.
El libro fue leído por Juan.
Se venden flores.
Ellos construyeron la casa.
La cena es preparada por mi madre.
El coche es conducido por él.
Yo escribo un poema.

Answer Key:

Sentence	Answer
El gato atrapó el ratón.	Active
La ventana fue abierta por María.	Passive
Se habla inglés aquí.	Passive
Nosotros comemos pizza.	Active
El libro fue leído por Juan.	Passive
Se venden flores.	Passive
Ellos construyeron la casa.	Active
La cena es preparada por mi madre.	Passive
El coche es conducido por él.	Passive
Yo escribo un poema.	Active

Exercise 2: Converting Active to Passive Voice

Convert the following sentences from the active voice to the passive voice.

Instructions: Rewrite sentences from active to passive form.

Active Sentence	Passive Sentence
El chef preparó la comida.
El profesor explicó la lección.
El artista pintó el cuadro.
El fontanero arregló la tubería.
El viento derribó el árbol.
El cartero entregó la carta.
El detective resolvió el caso.
La policía arrestó al ladrón.
El público aplaudió la actuación.
El jurado declaró culpable al acusado.

Answer Key:

Active Sentence	Passive Sentence
El chef preparó la comida.	La comida fue preparada por el chef.
El profesor explicó la lección.	La lección fue explicada por el profesor.
El artista pintó el cuadro.	El cuadro fue pintado por el artista.
El fontanero arregló la tubería.	La tubería fue arreglada por el fontanero.
El viento derribó el árbol.	El árbol fue derribado por el viento.
El cartero entregó la carta.	La carta fue entregada por el cartero.
El detective resolvió el caso.	El caso fue resuelto por el detective.
La policía arrestó al ladrón.	El ladrón fue arrestado por la policía.
El público aplaudió la actuación.	La actuación fue aplaudida por el público.
El jurado declaró culpable al acusado.	El acusado fue declarado culpable por el jurado.

Exercise 3: Converting Passive to Active Voice

Convert the following sentences from the passive voice to the active voice.

Instructions: Rewrite sentences from passive to active form.

Passive Sentence	Active Sentence
La cena fue cocinada por mi madre.
El libro fue leído por los estudiantes.
La casa fue construida por el carpintero.
El coche fue reparado por el mecánico.
La carta fue escrita por Juan.
El pastel fue horneado por el panadero.
El gol fue marcado por el jugador.
El cuadro fue pintado por el artista.
La canción fue cantada por ella.
El problema fue resuelto por el equipo.

Answer Key:

Passive Sentence	Active Sentence
La cena fue cocinada por mi madre.	Mi madre cocinó la cena.
El libro fue leído por los estudiantes.	Los estudiantes leyeron el libro.
La casa fue construida por el carpintero.	El carpintero construyó la casa.
El coche fue reparado por el mecánico.	El mecánico reparó el coche.
La carta fue escrita por Juan.	Juan escribió la carta.
El pastel fue horneado por el panadero.	El panadero horneó el pastel.
El gol fue marcado por el jugador.	El jugador marcó el gol.
El cuadro fue pintado por el artista.	El artista pintó el cuadro.
La canción fue cantada por ella.	Ella cantó la canción.
El problema fue resuelto por el equipo.	El equipo resolvió el problema.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, let’s delve into some more complex aspects of the passive voice in Spanish, focusing on the use of “se” in passive and impersonal constructions.

Passive with ‘Se’

As discussed earlier, “se” can be used to form passive sentences. This is particularly common when the agent performing the action is not specified or is irrelevant.

It is also frequently used in signs and notices.

For example:

• Se prohíbe fumar. (Smoking is prohibited.)
• Se venden coches usados. (Used cars are sold.)

The verb always agrees in number with the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb is singular; if the subject is plural, the verb is plural.

Impersonal ‘Se’

The impersonal “se” is used to make statements without specifying a subject. It’s often translated as “one,” “they,” or “people” in English.

The verb is always in the third-person singular.

For example:

• Se dice que va a llover. (They say it’s going to rain. / It is said that it will rain.)
• Se vive bien aquí. (One lives well here. / Life is good here.)

The impersonal “se” is used to express general truths, opinions, or actions without attributing them to a specific person or group.

FAQ Section

Here are some frequently asked questions about the active and passive voice in Spanish:

1. What is the difference between the active and passive voice?

   In the active voice, the subject performs the action (e.g., Juan come la manzana – Juan eats the apple). In the passive voice, the subject receives the action (e.g., La manzana es comida por Juan – The apple is eaten by Juan).

2. When should I use the passive voice in Spanish?

   Use the passive voice when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the action or the recipient of the action. It is also useful in formal writing or when you wish to avoid assigning blame.

3. How do I form the passive voice in Spanish?

   The passive voice is formed using the auxiliary verb ser (to be) followed by the past participle of the main verb. The past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject. The agent, if mentioned, is introduced by the preposition por (by).

4. What is the reflexive passive, and how is it formed?

   The reflexive passive uses the pronoun se to indicate that the subject is receiving the action. It is formed as: Se + Verb (3rd person singular or plural) + Subject. For example, Se venden casas (Houses are sold).

5. Is the use of passive voice as common in Spanish as it is in English?

   No, the passive voice tends to be used less frequently in Spanish compared to English. Spanish speakers often prefer active constructions or alternative formulations, such as using the reflexive “se,” to avoid the passive voice.

6. How does the past participle agree in gender and number with the subject in passive voice sentences?

   In passive constructions with “ser,” the past participle must agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the subject of the sentence. For example: La puerta fue cerrada (feminine singular), Los libros fueron escritos (masculine plural), Las ventanas fueron abiertas (feminine plural).

7. Can I always identify the agent in a passive voice sentence?

   No, the agent is not always specified in passive voice sentences. Sometimes the agent is unknown, unimportant, or intentionally omitted. In such cases, the sentence focuses on the action itself or the recipient of the action. For example: La puerta fue cerrada (The door was closed – agent unknown).

8. What are some alternatives to using the passive voice in Spanish?

   Alternatives to the passive voice in Spanish include using the active voice, the reflexive pronoun “se,” or impersonal constructions. For example, instead of El libro fue escrito por Juan, you could say Juan escribió el libro (active), or instead of Se construyen casas, you could say Están construyendo casas (progressive active).

Conclusion

Mastering the active and passive voice in Spanish is an essential step towards achieving fluency and precision in your communication. By understanding the structural differences, usage rules, and common pitfalls, you can effectively employ both voices to convey your intended message with clarity and style.

Practice identifying and constructing sentences in both voices to solidify your knowledge and enhance your overall command of the Spanish language. Remember, the key is to choose the voice that best suits the context and your communicative goals.