What is a passive verb?

When the subject of a sentence isn't doing something, the verb is passive.

On the other hand, a sentence is active when the subject performs the verb (action).

For example, in this sentence the verb is active.

Mr Brewer kicked the ball

Whereas, in this sentence the verb is passive.

The ball was kicked by Mr Brewer

Take a look at this slideshow to learn more about passive verbs, and test what you've learned with the activity and quiz below.

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This is Frieda Fishmonster. She always enjoys a passive sentence.
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Wow. That is impressive!
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‘The Fish Monster roared.’ is an active sentence, because we know who did the roaring – the Fish Monster.
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But if the sentence is ‘Roaring was heard,’ it’s not clear who roared, so this is a passive sentence.
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Oh look. The sentence is now ‘The fisherman catches fish from the ocean.’ It’s an active sentence, because it shows who is doing the action.
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The sentence is now ‘Fish are caught from the ocean.’ We are not told who is catching the fish. So this is a passive sentence.
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But there’s more. You can add the person doing the action back into a sentence. Just use the word 'by'.
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Goodbye Frieda!

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