What is the Simple Present Passive?
The passive voice shifts the focus from the person or thing doing the action (the agent) to the person or thing receiving the action. In the simple present passive, the auxiliary verb is be (not have), followed by the past participle of the main verb.
Positive: subject + am / is / are + past participle
Negative: subject + am / is / are + not + past participle
Question: Am / Is / Are + subject + past participle?
Active vs Passive
In an active sentence, the subject does the action. In a passive sentence, the subject receives the action.
Active: People speak English all over the world.
Passive: English is spoken all over the world.
Active: The company makes the product in Brazil.
Passive: The product is made in Brazil.
Active: They clean the office every day.
Passive: The office is cleaned every day.
When to Use the Passive
Use the present passive in three situations:
The receiver is more important than the agent:
The letters are delivered every morning. (We care about the letters, not who delivers them.)
The agent is unknown:
My bike is stolen regularly. (We don't know who steals it.)
The agent is obvious or unimportant:
The rules are explained at the start of the game. (It's obvious someone explains them.)
Adding the Agent with By
If you want to mention who or what does the action, use by + agent at the end of the sentence.
The building is cleaned by a professional team.
These cars are made by a factory in Japan.
⚠ Common mistakes:
✗ English is speak all over the world. → ✓ English is spoken all over the world. (need past participle)
✗ The product is maked in Brazil. → ✓ The product is made in Brazil. (irregular past participle)
✗ The letters are deliver every morning. → ✓ The letters are delivered every morning.