Passive and causative structures
Definition
A passive structure makes the affected person or thing the subject and normally uses be + past participle. Related causative structures such as have / get something done show that someone arranges for another person to perform an action.
Examples
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The bridge was completed in 2019.
The bridge, rather than the builders, is the focus.
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Several documents have been lost.
The agent is unknown or unimportant.
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We had the roof repaired last month.
The subject arranged for someone else to repair the roof.
Active voice vs. passive voice
A local architect designed the library.
The agent is the grammatical subject.
The library was designed by a local architect.
The affected object becomes the grammatical subject.
The active voice foregrounds the doer. The passive voice foregrounds the action, result or affected participant.
Causatives resemble passives but add arrangement
In a causative structure, the subject does not usually perform the action directly. The structure emphasizes arranging, requesting or paying for the service.
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She got her phone repaired.
Someone else repaired the phone after she arranged it.
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I am having my eyes tested tomorrow.
The appointment is arranged; the subject is not testing their own eyes.
Common mistakes
The report was write yesterday.
The report was written yesterday.
A passive requires a past participle, here written.
I had repaired my car at the garage by a mechanic.
I had my car repaired at the garage by a mechanic.
For an arranged service, place the object between had and the past participle.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly forms the passive?
The plural subject takes were, followed by the past participle sent.Which sentence focuses on the agent?
The active sentence places the technician in subject position.Which sentence means that another person cut Lena’s hair?
Had her hair cut is a causative structure showing an arranged service.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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