ser + Participle
Passive Voice with Ser
The analytical passive voice (ser + particípio) shifts the focus from who did the action to the action itself. It is common in formal writing, news, and academic contexts.
How It Works
The voz passiva analítica is structurally similar to the English 'to be + past participle.' It is used to emphasize the event or process rather than the person performing it.
1. Formation:
It consists of the verb ser (conjugated in any tense) + the past participle of a transitive direct verb.
2. Agreement:
Unlike compound tenses with ter, the participle in the passive voice must agree with the subject:
- O livro foi escrito (The book was written)
- As cartas foram escritas (The letters were written)
3. The Agent:
If you want to mention who performed the action, use the preposition por, which usually contracts with articles to become pelo, pela, pelos, or pelas.
4. Register and Usage:
This form is very common in journalism and formal documents. In casual conversation, especially in Brazil, speakers often prefer the active voice with an indeterminate subject (e.g., 'Roubaram meu carro' instead of 'Meu carro foi roubado') or the passive se construction.
Examples (5)
- A nova ponte foi construída pelo governo.
The new bridge was built by the government.
Word by Word: The new bridge was built by-the government.
Notice how 'construída' is feminine singular to match 'a ponte'.
- Os documentos serão enviados amanhã.
The documents will be sent tomorrow.
Word by Word: The documents will-be sent tomorrow.
Here, 'ser' is in the future tense, and 'enviados' is masculine plural to match 'os documentos'.
- Muitas línguas são faladas no Brasil.
Many languages are spoken in Brazil.
Word by Word: Many languages are spoken in-the Brazil.
A general statement in the present tense using the passive voice.
- O criminoso foi preso pela polícia.
The criminal was arrested by the police.
Word by Word: The criminal was arrested by-the police.
The agent (polícia) is introduced by the contracted preposition 'pela'.
- As faturas já foram pagas.
The invoices have already been paid.
Word by Word: The invoices already were paid.
For verbs with two participles (pagado/pago), the short irregular form (pago/paga) is used with 'ser'.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to agree the participle with the subject.
As casas foram vendido ontem.As casas foram vendidas ontem.The participle acts like an adjective in this construction and must match the gender (feminine) and number (plural) of 'as casas'.
Confusing 'ser' (action) with 'estar' (state) in the passive.
A janela foi aberta (when describing a state).A janela está aberta.'Foi aberta' implies the act of opening happened. 'Está aberta' describes the current condition of the window.
Using the long participle form for irregular verbs.
O boleto foi pagado.O boleto foi pago.When a verb has two participle forms, the short form (pago, ganho, gasto) is used with 'ser' and 'estar'.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- Passive Participle Agreement
This explains the specific rules for matching the participle's ending to the subject.
Level 4 - Passive + por + AgentPassive Agent with Por
Focuses on how to identify the 'doer' of the action using the preposition 'por'.
Level 4 - se + VerbPassive Se Construction
An alternative, more common way to form the passive voice in Portuguese, especially in signs and general statements.
Level 4 - ser / estarSer vs. Estar Basics
Understanding the difference between 'ser' and 'estar' is crucial for distinguishing between an action and a resulting state.
Level 1 - pelo/pela/pelos/pelasContraction Pelo
These contractions are essential for introducing the agent in a passive sentence.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice ser + Participle in Bubblegum
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