DELE B2 Passive Voice Spanish: Practice Test & Review
The passive voice appears throughout B2 reading passages, especially in news writing and academic texts. Spanish has two passive structures: the true passive with ser plus participle, and the passive se. Each has its own register and its own rules for agreement and agency.
This page gives you a five-part practice quiz: an evaluation set to see where you stand, three practice sets to drill the forms and uses, and a challenge set to confirm mastery. The grammar review below covers the ser passive, the passive se, the agent phrase with por, and the cases where Spanish prefers the active voice.
The passive voice appears in every B2 reading passage that involves news, reports, or formal writing. Master the forms and you can handle any passive construction the exam throws at you. Ready? Start with the evaluation set below.
Grammar Guide
The Rule
Spanish has two passive structures: the true passive with ser plus participle, and the passive se. Both shift focus from the agent to the action or the thing acted upon. The true passive can name the agent with por. The passive se cannot. Spanish also prefers the active voice when the agent is known and important, so the passive is less common than in English.
The Two Passive Structures
| Structure | Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| True passive | ser + participle (+ por + agent) | La casa fue construida. | The house was built. |
| Passive se | se + verb agreeing with subject | Se venden casas. | Houses are sold. |
True Passive — Ser + Participle
The true passive uses ser plus the past participle. The participle agrees with the subject in gender and number. The agent, if mentioned, is introduced by por.
| Example | Translation |
|---|---|
| La casa fue construida en 1990. | The house was built in 1990. |
| Los libros fueron vendidos por la librería. | The books were sold by the bookstore. |
| La carta fue escrita por Juan. | The letter was written by Juan. |
| Las flores fueron regadas por el jardinero. | The flowers were watered by the gardener. |
The participle agrees with the subject: fue construida (feminine singular), fueron vendidos (masculine plural), fue escrita (feminine singular).
Passive Se — Agreement with the Subject
The passive se has a subject, and the verb agrees with that subject in number. The subject is the thing being acted upon.
| Subject | Verb form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular | Third person singular | Se vende casa. | A house is sold. |
| Plural | Third person plural | Se venden casas. | Houses are sold. |
The passive se is more common than the true passive in everyday Spanish. It appears in signs, advertisements, and general statements.
True Passive vs Passive Se
| Structure | Register | Can name agent? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| True passive | Formal, written | Yes (por) | La casa fue construida por la empresa. |
| Passive se | Common, everyday | No | Se venden casas. |
Both are correct. The true passive is more formal and appears in news and academic texts. The passive se is more common in speech and everyday writing. The true passive is the only structure that can name the agent with por.
When Spanish Prefers the Active Voice
Spanish uses the passive less than English. When the agent is known and important, Spanish prefers the active voice.
| Passive (less natural) | Active (more natural) |
|---|---|
| La ley fue aprobada por el gobierno. | El gobierno aprobó la ley. |
| El partido fue ganado por el equipo. | El equipo ganó el partido. |
| La carta fue escrita por Juan. | Juan escribió la carta. |
The passive is used when the agent is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from context. When the agent matters, use the active voice.
The Agent Phrase with Por
When the true passive names the agent, it uses por.
| Example | Translation |
|---|---|
| La carta fue escrita por Juan. | The letter was written by Juan. |
| Los libros fueron vendidos por la librería. | The books were sold by the bookstore. |
| Las decisiones fueron tomadas por el comité. | The decisions were taken by the committee. |
Por introduces the agent. Other prepositions are not used for this purpose.
Fixed Expressions
| Expression | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fue construido | Was built | True passive, common in news |
| Se vende / Se venden | For sale | Passive se, common in ads |
| Se busca / Se buscan | Wanted / sought | Passive se |
| Fue publicado | Was published | True passive, formal |
| Fue escrito por | Was written by | True passive with agent |
Common Mistakes
Making the participle agree with the agent instead of the subject.
Incorrect: La carta fue escrito por Juan.
Correct: La carta fue escrita por Juan.
The participle agrees with the subject (la carta, feminine singular), not the agent.
Using se with the true passive.
Incorrect: La casa se fue construida.
Correct: La casa fue construida.
The true passive uses ser, not se.
Using the passive when the active is more natural.
Incorrect: El equipo fue ganado el partido. (nonsensical)
Correct: El equipo ganó el partido.
When the agent is known and important, use the active voice.
Forgetting agreement in the passive se.
Incorrect: Se vende casas.
Correct: Se venden casas.
The verb agrees with the subject (casas, plural).
Quick Decision Chart
| Ask yourself | Answer | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Is the agent named with por? | Yes | True passive (ser + participle) |
| Is the register formal? | Yes | True passive is possible |
| Is the register everyday? | Yes | Passive se is preferred |
| Is the agent unknown or unimportant? | Yes | Passive se |
| Is the agent known and important? | Yes | Active voice |
| Does the sentence have a subject? | Yes | Verb agrees with the subject |
Two Sentences That Show the Difference
La casa fue construida en 1990.
The house was built in 1990.
True passive: ser + participle, dated action, no agent named.
Se venden casas.
Houses are sold.
Passive se: common in ads and signs, no agent named.
La carta fue escrita por Juan.
The letter was written by Juan.
True passive with agent: por introduces the agent.
Juan escribió la carta.
Juan wrote the letter.
Active voice: preferred when the agent is known and important.
