The passive form in Italian (or English) is used when we want to focus on the object of the action, rather than the agent who carries out the action. For example:
- Serena teaches the class [active form, focus on the agent = Serena]
- The class is taught by Serena [passive form, focus on the object = la classe]
Passive forms can only be used with transitive verbs (verbs that take a direct object). In fact, every transitive verb can be used in both active and passive constructions, as in this example:
- Mio nonno ha costruito questa casa [active form]
- Questa casa è stata costruita da mio nonno [passive form]
How to Make the Passive Voice in Italian
To form the passive form in Italian, use the verb “essere” (conjugated in the corresponding tense of the active voice), followed by the past participle of the main verb, and the preposition “da” (which introduces the agent carrying out the action).
Let’s see the difference between passive and active forms in Italian in a few examples:
| Active Forms in Italian | Passive Forms in Italian |
|---|---|
| Anna ha preparato i biscotti | I biscotti sono stati cucinati da Anna |
| Marco ha cucinato la lasagna | La lasagna è stata cucinata da Marco |
| I bambini fanno il puzzle | Il puzzle è fatto dai bambini |
| I romani hanno costruito questo ponte | Questo ponte è stato costruito dai romani |
| Il tornado ha distrutto la casa | La casa è stata distrutta dal tornado |
| Active Forms in English | Passive Forms in English |
|---|---|
| Anna baked cookies | The cookies were baked by Anna |
| Marco has made the lasagna | The lasagna has been made by Marco |
| The children do the puzzle | The puzzle is done by the children |
| The Romans built this bridge | This bridge was built by the Romans |
| The tornado destroyed the house | The house was destroyed by the tornado |
English vs. Italian
The passive voice is more common in romance language, e.g. italian then in English. So, although you’re not using the passive form in English that much, be prepared to listen to it a lot in Italian.
When the Passive Construction is used in Italian:
The passive voice is especially used:
- To emphasize the object of the action
- In news articles
- Scientific papers
- Legal documents
- To narrate facts and events past
