Passive with ser + participle
was built / is written
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was built / is written
ser + participle (agreeing) + optional por: El puente fue construido en 1900. More spoken Spanish prefers se or an active verb.
Examples in context
Read the examples and compare their English meanings.
Formal Reporting / News
Common in journalism and formal writing.
El sospechoso fue detenido anoche por la policía.
The suspect was arrested last night by the police.
Historical Events
Focuses on the creation and the object.
La novela fue escrita en el siglo XIX.
The novel was written in the 19th century.
Common mix-ups
In the passive with ser, the participle agrees with the subject: novela is feminine singular.
The novel was written by Ana.
Try a reply
Say or write your answer in Spanish before opening the example.
The letters were sent yesterday. Use the passive with ser.
Show one possible answer
Las cartas fueron enviadas ayer.
Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.
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Related grammar
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