Pasiva en Inglés: Presente Simple y Pasado Simple

Passive Voice is a grammatical concept where the subject of a sentence receives the action rather than performing it. It's often used when the focus is on the object being acted upon, rather than who or what is doing the action. There are two main types of passive voice: present simple passive and past simple passive.

Past Simple Passive Voice

In the past simple passive voice, the verb 'to be' (e.g., am, is, was) is followed by the past participle of the main verb (base+ed). This form is used when talking about something that has already happened. For example:

• I was eaten by the crocodile.
• She was given a cake.

The construction changes based on tense:

• Present simple active: You study every day.
• Past simple active: You studied yesterday.
• Present simple passive: You are studying today.
• Past simple passive: You were studying yesterday.

This shift allows us to describe actions completed in the past without specifying who performed them.

Present Simple Passive Voice

Present simple passive voice is formed using the verb 'to be' in its present form (am, is, are) plus the past participle form of the main verb. This form indicates actions happening now or regularly, which could also refer to future events. For instance:

• I am eaten by the crocodile. (This would only occur if you are speaking from the perspective of someone inside the croc's stomach!)
• She is given a cake each week.

As with past simple passive, this version shifts depending on the tense:

• Present simple active: He studies English every day.
• Present simple passive: He is studying English today.

Both forms allow us to discuss ongoing activities without mentioning who does them.

Past Simple and Present Continuous

While technically not passive voices per se, understanding these two constructions can help clarify passive voice usage. In English, past simple and present continuous can express different aspects of time, including sequences, contrasts, and concurrent activities.

• Past simple (e.g., I walked the dog): Describes completed actions, generally with a sense of closure.
• Present continuous (I am walking the dog right now): Indicates current or temporary actions, which may continue into the future.

Understanding these tenses can help students comprehend the nuances of passive voice usage, as passive sentences often involve both tenses.