Definition / Explanation
The present simple passive shifts attention away from the person who does the action and toward the action, process, or result itself. It is formed with am/is/are + past participle. We use it when the doer is unknown, unimportant, obvious, or simply not the main focus. This form is very common in rules, signs, instructions, reports, and general descriptions. It helps English sound more formal, neutral, and impersonal when needed.
Key Rules
- Form: am/is/are + past participle.
- Use it when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or obvious.
- The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
- Add by + person only when the doer is important.
- Many process descriptions use this form: Tea is grown in many countries.
Examples
- English is spoken here.
- The bills are paid monthly.
- Coffee is served after lunch.
- New staff are trained every week.
- The door is locked at night.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ English speaks here. -> ✅ English is spoken here.
- ❌ The bills are payed monthly. -> ✅ The bills are paid monthly.
- ❌ New staff trained every week. -> ✅ New staff are trained every week.