The Passive Voice

The Formation of the Passive Voice

auxiliary verb to be + Participle II

A passive verb form is made with the auxiliary verb to be (in the different tenses) and the past participle of the main verb.

Affirmative	Interrogative	Negative
I am told. She is told. He is told. It is made. We are told. You are told. They are told.	Am I told? Is she told? Is he told? Is it made? Are we told? Are you told? Are they told?	I am not told. He is not told. She is not told. It is not made. We are not told. You are not told. They are not told.

The subject of a passive verb is usually the person or thing that is affected be the action of the verb.

Compare:

I wrote this letter. (Active) ? This letter was written by me. (Passive)