Passive Voice – Voz Pasiva

Hablaremos en esta ocasión sobre un recurso gramatical de gran importancia en la lengua

inglesa: la voz pasiva. Para comenzar estableceremos la diferencia con el lenguaje que
utilizamos habitualmente llamado voz activa en el cual la acción del verbo recae sobre
el sujeto mientras que en la voz pasiva la acción del verbo recae sobre el objeto. Observa los
siguientes ejemplos:

Voz Activa

The lady buys a new hat.

La dama compra un sombrero nuevo.

(El verbo “comprar” recae sobre “la dama” indicando que ella es quien realiza la acción)

Voz Pasiva

A new hat is bought by the lady.

Un nuevo sombrero es comprado por la dama.

(En este caso interesa que “un nuevo sombrero es comprado” sin demasiada importancia de quien realiza la acción)

Para construir la voz pasiva es necesario que la oración en voz activacuente con objeto
directo, es decir que responda a la pregunta “¿qué cosa?”, por ejemplo:
My sister lost the keys.

Mi hermana perdió las llaves.

¿Qué cosa perdió mi hermana?

Las llaves (éste es el objeto directo)

Luego el objeto directo establecido pasará a ocupar el lugar de sujeto, elsujeto de la voz activa
pasa a ser complemento agente acompañado de la preposición BY y el verbo principal se
coloca en pasado participio acompañado por el verto TO BE en el tiempo que se encuentra
la voz activa. Por ejemplo:
My sister lost the keys.

The keys were lost by my sister.

Observe en la oración pasiva que “the keys” ocupan el lugar de sujeto, “by my sister” es
el complemento agente y el verbo principal está ahora en pasado participio acompañado por
el verbo to be (were) enpasado simple ya que la oración activa se encontraba en ese tiempo
verbal.
 Veremos en el siguiente cuadro como se modifican los verbos de Voz Activa a Voz Pasiva:

Tiempo Verbal de la oración en voz

activa VOZ ACTIVA VOZ PASIVA

Presente Simple My brotherstudies the lesson. The lesson is studied by my brother.

Presente Continuo My brother is studying the lesson. The lesson is being studied by my brother.

Pasado Simple My brotherstudied the lesson. The lesson wasstudied by my brother.

Pasado Continuo My brother was studying the lesson. The lesson was being studied by my brother.

Futuro Simple My brother will study the lesson. The lesson will be studied by my brother.

My brother is going to studythe The lesson is going to be studied by my

Futuro Cercano lesson. brother.

Presente Perfecto My brother has studied the lesson. The lesson has been studied by my brother.

Pasado Perfecto My brother had studied the lesson. The lesson had been studied by my brother.
Ejercicios: Passive Voice (Voz Pasiva)
Para que comiences a ejercitar lo aprendido sobre Voz Pasiva te proponemos que pases
siguientes frases activas teniendo en cuenta de utilizar correctamente los tiempos verbales:

1. Tommy will know Machu Picchu ruins in Peru.

1. My boss sent me detailed instructions.

1. Sam’s friend solved the problem.

1. The workers will complete the new road in the next year.

1. Paul is going to repair the car.

1. My brother forgot his wallet at the bank.

1. My sister will send a letter to my mother.

1. The little girl is drawing her pet.

1. She dropped her bag in the train.

1. My brother takes his medicine every day.

1. John and Fred will climb the Aconcagua Mountain.

1. My wife crashed the new car.

1. I opened the windows.

 1. I drink a glass of water.

1. You did not send the parcel.

1. They did not catch the thieves.

1. Jane has taken some photographs.

1. The passengers are going to visit the museum.

1. The teacher made a big mistake.

1. Mary was preparing a lot of food.

Solución del ejercicio de Voz Pasiva I

Si ya has realizado este ejercicio sobre Voz Pasiva te proponemos que verifiques tus
oraciones con las siguiente solución:

1. Machu Picchu ruins in Peru will be known by Tommy.

1. Detailed instructions were sent to me by my boss.

1. The problem was solved by Sam’s friend.

1. The new road will be completed in the next year by the workers.

1. The car is going to be repaired by Paul.

1. The wallet was forgotten at the bank by my brother.

1. A letter will be sent to my mother by my sister.

1. The pet is being drawn by the little girl.

1. The bag was dropped in the train by her.

1. The medicine is taken every day by my brother.

1. The Aconcagua Mountain will be climbed by John and Fred.

1. The new car was crashed by my wife.

1. The windows were opened by me.

1. A glass of water is drunk by me.

1. The parcel was not sent by you.

1. The thieves were not caught by them.

1. Some photographs have been taken by Jane.

1. The museum is going to be visited by the passengers.

1. A big mistake was made by the teacher.

1. A lot of food was being prepared by Mary.

Ejercicios: Passive Voice II (Voz Pasiva)
Mira las siguientes frases. Se encuentran en Voz Activa. Te proponemos que sigas ejercitando
pasándolas a Voz Pasiva:

1. Britney Spears sang her new songs.

1. The ladies were listening the speech carefully.

1. My father gets a good salary.

1. The boss lent me one of his books.

1. He did not pay the bill.

1. My neighbour is going to buy a new car.

1. I had lost my umbrella when it began to rain.

1. Alice was looking for her pencils.

1. I will hang a picture on the wall.

1. Susan has not answered your letters.

1. Amy Winehouse broke an expensive picture at the hotel.

 1. Tom’s mother keep the yoghurt in the refrigerator.

1. Mrs. Thompson has the best garden in town.

1. We will send the parcel inmediately.

1. The waiter brought a bottle of beer.

1. The truck was carrying a bag full of money.

1. The students had read the text in class.

1. We were enjoying our dinner at the restaurant.

1. Sally has accepted the invitation for my birthday party.

1. He repeated the question several times.

Solución del ejercicio de Voz Pasiva II

Verifica con la siguiente solución que hayas realizado correctamente este ejercicio sobre Voz
Pasiva:

1. The new songs were sung by Britney Spears.

1. The speech was being listened carefully by the ladies.

1. A good salary is got by my father.

1. One of his books was lent to me by the boss.

1. The bill was not paid by him.

1. A new car is going to be bought by my neighbour.

1. My umbrella had been lost by me when it began to rain.

1. The pencils were being looked for by Alice.

1. A picture will be hung on the wall by me.

1. Your letters have not been answered by Susan.

1. An expensive picture was broken by Amy Winehouse at the hotel.

1. The yoghurt was kept in the refrigerator by Tom’s mother.

1. The best garden in town is had by Mrs. Thompson.

1. The parcel will be sent inmediately by us.

1. A bottle of beer was brought by the waiter.

1. A bag full of money was being carried by the truck.

1. The text had been read in class by the students.

1. The dinner were being enjoyed at the restaurant by us.

1. The invitation for my birthday party has been accepted by Sally.

1. The question was repeated several times by him.

 Passive Voice with two Objects – Voz Pasiva con dos
objetos

Hace ya algún tiempo explicamos el correcto uso de la Voz Pasiva, un recurso gramatical de
gran importancia dentro del idioma inglés que difiere de la Voz Activa (lenguaje utilizado
cotidianamente) por enfocar la acción del verbo sobre el objeto de la oración sin importar
demasiado quién la está realizando.

Para que recuerdes de que modo se construye una oración pasiva, es importante mencionar
que la oración activa debe contar indefectiblemente con objeto directo, es decir, que responda
de manera exacta a la pregunta “¿qué cosa?” y una vez obtenida la respuesta seguir los
siguientes pasos:

 El objeto directo de la oración activa pasa a ocupar el lugar de sujeto de la oración

pasiva.
 El verbo principal debe colocarse en Pasado Participio precedido por el verbo TO
BE en el tiempo de la oración activa.
 El sujeto de la oración activa pasa a ocupar el lugar de complemento agente precedido
por la preposición BY.

Veamos los siguientes ejemplos:

VOZ ACTIVA

The lady buys a new hat.

La dama compra un sombrero nuevo.
(El verbo “comprar” recae sobre “la dama” indicando que ella es quien realiza la acción)

VOZ PASIVA

A new hat is bought by the lady.

Un nuevo sombrero es comprado por la dama.
(En este caso interesa que “un nuevo sombrero es comprado” sin demasiada importancia de quien realiza la acción)

Una vez refrescada la memoria en cuanto a la mecánica de la Voz Pasiva nos introduciremos
en otras formas de construcción como por ejemplo cuando la oración activa dispone de dos
objetos:
Jennifer gave me a birthday present.
 En este caso, para reescribir este tipo de oraciones con dos objetos debemos colocar uno de
ellos como sujeto mientras que el otro permanecerá en su lugar de objeto. ¿Cuál de ellos será
el elegido para ser sujeto?… eso dependerá de lo que queramos hacer foco:
VOZ ACTIVA

My boss offered me an important promotion.

VOZ PASIVA

An important promotion was offered to me.

(by my boss)

I was offered an important promotion.

(by my boss)

Es preciso remarcar que en el ejemplo superior hemos colocado el complemento agente entre
paréntesis ya que por lo general no se coloca debido a que su utilización resulta poco
elegante.
Ejercicios: Active Voice to Passive Voice (Voz Activa a
Voz Pasiva)

Ya hemos explicado como se construye una oración en Voz Pasiva. Ahora, en el siguiente
ejercicio, te proponemos que realices el procedimiento inverso convirtiendo estas frases
pasivas en oraciones activas. Ten en cuenta colocar los verbos en su tiempo correcto.

1. Tutankamon’s tomb was discovered by Howard Carter.

1. All the money was spent in the market by us.

1. My house was lent to Paul in the weekend by me.

1. Some subjects were being found boring by children.

1. The sensation could not be felt by my parents.

1. Modern hats were bought by the smart woman.

1. A box of chocolates had been bought for my birthday by Mary.

1. A big surprise has been promised to me by Sally.

1. The information is shared by Brighton and Pam.

1. A parked car was accidentally damaged by me.

 1. A new pair of sunglasses is given to me by Michael and Margaret.

1. The fence is going to be fixed by William.

1. A new apartment has been rented in Paris by my parents-in-law.

1. The truth has been told to your mother by me.

1. A good advice has been given to me by my boyfriend.

1. Your address and phone number will be asked to you by my secretary.

1. My wallet was lost this morning by me.

1. The bedrooms were cleaned by the maid.

1. A dozen of white roses was ordered for the guest by the butler.

1. A new job has been offered to my father by the boss.

Solución del ejercicio sobre Voz Activa – Voz Pasiva

Si ya has realizado el siguiente ejercicio sobre Voz Pasiva comprueba que lo haya realizado
correctamente con la solución que aquí te ofrecemos:
1. Howard Carter discovered Tutankamon’s tomb.

1. We spent all the money in the market.

1. I lend Paul my house in the weekend.

1. Children were finding some subjects boring.

1. My parents could not feel the sensation.

1. The smart woman bought modern hats.

1. Mary had bought a box of chocolates for my birthday.

1. Sally has promised me a big surprise.

1. Brighton and Pam share the information.

1. I accidentally damaged a parked car.

1. Michael and Margaret give me a new pair of sunglasses.

1. William is going to fix the fence.

1. My parents-in-law have rented a new apartment in Paris.

 1. I have told your mother the truth.

1. My boyfriend has given me a good advice.

1. My secretary will ask your address and phone number.

1. I lost my wallet this morning.

1. The maid cleaned the bedrooms.

1. The butler ordered a dozen of white roses for the guest.

1. The boss has offered a new job to my father.

Exercises: Voz Pasiva con dos Objetos IV – (Passive Voice

with two Objects)
Continuamos ofreciéndote ejercicios sobre oraciones pasivas con dos objetos para que
afiances tus conocimientos. En este caso debes reescribir las siguientes oraciones en sus dos
maneras posibles:

1. The policeman did not allow us to enter the museum at night.

1. The old lady told us an incredible story.

1. A beggar asked me for a meal and a glass of water.

1. Charles always lends me his books.

1. We will forbide John to go to the party with Mike.

1. Sally is offering you an interesting job.

1. The doctors gave the children artificial respiration.

1. I have offered my brother a large sum of money.

 1. The hotel manager brought us the keys.

1. Susan and Mary did not tell me that Frank was ill.

1. The doctor would allow Mr Wilkins to go home.

1. My father showed my cousin how to use the computer.

1. The new delivery boy has brought me the big parcel.

1. The optician is showing my grandmother the glasses.

1. My mother should tell my brother never to do that again.

1. Mrs Alison gave the baby-sitter some last minute instructions.

Solución del ejercicio sobre Voz Pasiva con dos Objetos IV

Si ya has realizado este ejercicio sobre oraciones pasivas con dos objetos, puedes verificar
tus respuestas con la siguiente solución:
1. To enter the museum at night was not allowed to us.
We were not allowed to enter the museum at night.

1. An incredible story was told to us.

We were told an incredible story.

1. A meal and a glass of water were asked to me.

I was asked for a meal and a glass of water.

1. Books are always lent to me.

I am always lent books.

1. To go to the party with Mike will be forbidden to John.

John will be forbidden to go to the party with Mike.

1. An interesting job is being offered to you.

You are being offered an interesting job.

1. Artificial respiration was given to the children.

The children were given artificial respiration.

1. A large sum of money has been offered to my brother.

My brother has been offered a large sum of money.

1. The keys were brought to us.

We were brought the keys.

1. That Frank was ill was not told to me.

I was not told that Frank was ill.

1. To go home would be allowed to Mr Wilkins.

Mr Wilkins would be allowed to go home.

1. How to use the computer was showed to my cousin.

My cousin was showed how to use the computer.

1. The big parcel has been brought to me.

I have been brought the big parcel.

1. The glasses is being showed to my grandmother.

My grandmother is being showed the glasses.

1. Never to do that again should be told to my brother.

My brother should be told never to do that again.
 1. Some last minute instructions were given to the baby-sitter.
The baby-sitter was given some last minute instructions.

Impersonal Passive Voice – Voz Pasiva

Impersonal
Continuamos desarrollando algunos temas relacionados con el uso de la Voz Pasiva. Ya
hemos tratado en otra oportunidad la manera correcta de construir una frase en Voz Pasiva
Personal y también les hemos explicado como pasar a Voz Pasiva aquellas oraciones activas
que poseen dos objetos.

En esta ocasión hablaremos sobre otra forma de Voz Pasiva denominada Impersonal, que se
caracteriza por utilizar verbos relacionados con la percepción (Verbos Intransitivos) como por
ejemplo: say (decir), think
(pensar), suppose (suponer), know (saber/conocer), expect (esperar), consider (considerar),
entre otros.

Debemos remarcar que la Voz Pasiva Impersonal es un tipo de construcción es utilizado con
gran frecuencia por los medios de comunicación, sobre todo en la redacción de noticias.

A diferencia de la Voz Pasiva Personal, donde el objeto directo de la oración activa pasa a
ocupar el lugar de sujeto en la oración pasiva -para lo cual es necesario un verbo transitivo-,
en la Voz Pasiva Impersonal, al utilizar verbos intransitivos como acción principal, no existe
objeto que pueda cumplir esa función y es necesario seguir la siguiente estructura:

SUJETO VERBO TO BE PASADO PARTICIPIO

Veamos algunos ejemplos:

It is said Se dice

It is known Se sabe

It is supposed Se supone

It is considered Se considera

It is reported Se informa

It is thought Se piensa

It is decided Se decide

Ahora veamos ejemplos concretos sobre su desarrollo:

People believe that the strike will continue for a week.

It is believed that the strike will continue for a week.The police reported that there was a bomb on the plane.

It was reported that there was a bomb on the plane.

También es preciso mencionar que en muchas ocasiones una tercera construcción es posible
colocando el sujeto de la oración subordinada al comienzo de la oración; el verbo de
percepción en voz pasiva y el resto de la frase se añade utilizando el infinitivo del verbo
precedido por la partícula “TO”, teniendo en cuenta que algunos verbos auxiliares y “THAT” no
se colocan:

 He says that the Governor had inaugurated the bridge the last year.
 It is said that the Governor had inaugurated the bridge the last year.
 The Governor is said to have inaugurated the bridge the last year.

 Everyone think that the ship will arrive tomorrow morning.

 It is said that the ship will arrive tomorrow morning.
  The ship is said to arrive tomorrow morning.

Exercises: Voz Pasiva Impersonal III – (Impersonal Passive

Voice)
Si todavía tienes algunas dudas sobre la manera correcta de construir una oración en voz
pasiva impersonal, puedes seguir ejercitando con las siguientes frases activas:

1. My whole family thinks that ghosts exist.

1. People think that money is the most important thing in life.

1. Specialists say that the business was not good.

1. Children said that the rock star had only sung three songs.

1. Astronauts confirm that the rocket was broken.

1. Some people believe that the prisoner has had second chances.

1. My boss expects that the job will be done soon.

1. The witness admitted that the crime had happened in front of him.
1. A lot of children think that Santa Claus is real.

1. The bodyguards assume that the fight was a trap.

1. The police proved that the thieves stole the money.

1. Politicians believe that the global warming is dangerous.

1. The company reported that the new models will be totally made in Madrid.

1. The NASA confirms that the space shuttle fell into the Pacific Ocean.

1. The country expects that the workers finish the stadium before the World Cup.

1. They assume that the security system failed.

Exercises: Voz Pasiva Impersonal V – (Impersonal Passive
Voice)
Una vez más te ofrecemos un nuevo ejercicio sobre la voz pasiva impersonal. Intenta
reescribir estas oraciones correctamente aplicando las reglas correspondientes:

1. They claim that this diamond is the largest in the World.

1. The patients consider that she is an excellent dentist.

1. Journalists reported that many people had been injured in the earthquake.

1. Military authorities believed that the explosion had been caused by a mine.

1. Citizens think that the monument is over 1.000 years old.

1. Researchers said that the reports were ready.

1. The lady thought that she had stolen the money.

1. Some guys said that the boss is an incredible man.

 1. My friend noticed that he missed his wallet.

1. The witnesses believed that a dog saved the baby.

1. People noticed that the players did not stand the heat.

1. The pupils had believed that the teacher knew all the exercises.

1. Everyone thought that the Minister had answered wrongly.

1. Students deduced that the solution was impossible.

1. The headmaster announced that the children will not go to the museum the next week.

1. Susan has said that she has always wanted to be a dentist.

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