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Using modal verbs in the passive voice in Spanish

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA
Last updated: 2024-06-06
18 questions

Modal verbs can be combined with the passive voice in Spanish, the same way as in English, e.g "He should be put in prison" or "I had to be taken to hospital."

Learn how to use Spanish modal verbs with the passive

The modal verb is conjugated in the required tense and then followed by "ser" + past participle (agreeing with the subject).

For example:

Deber + passive

Ella debe ser trasladada a otro hospital.She must be transferred to another hospital.

Este candidato debería ser considerado para el nuevo puesto de director.This candidate should be considered for the new post of director.

Tener que + passive

Lidia tuvo que ser atendida por el director del hotel.Lidia had to be taken care of by the hotel director.

Ellas han tenido que ser acompañadas a casa porque era muy tarde.They had to be accompanied home because it was very late.

Querer + passive 

La cantante no quiso ser fotografiada por los periodistas después del concierto.The singer didn't want/refused to be photograped by the journalists after the concert.

El ganador no ha querido ser identificado en público.The winner didn't want to be identified publiclly.

Poder + passive

Las joyas perdidas no pudieron ser localizadas.The lost jewels couldn't be found.

Los sacos de harina podrán ser distribuídos por las aldeas pobres.The sacks of flour can be distributed around the poor hamlets. [lit: will be able to be distributed]

Todos nuestros productos pueden ser comprados en línea.All our products can be bought online.

Necesitar + passive

El producto necesita ser codificado.The product needs to be coded.

Las flores necesitarán ser enviadas pronto.The flowers will need to be sent soon.

Remember:

Modal verb (conjugated) + ser + past participle (agreeing with subject)

 

Note that the passive voice is not as commonly used in Spanish as it is in English. Sometimes, to avoid the formal passive in Spanish, we find alternatives in the active voice or using the passive "se" construction.

For example for:

Las joyas perdidas no pudieron ser localizadas.

we could also say:

No se pudieron localizar las joyas.
or
Nadie pudo localizar las joyas.

without changing the original meaning of the sentence.

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Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics

Examples and resources

Ella debe ser trasladada a otro hospital.She must be transferred to another hospital.
Este candidato debería ser considerado para el nuevo puesto de director.This candidate should be considered for the new post of director.
Lidia tuvo que ser atendida por el director del hotel.Lidia had to be taken care of by the hotel director.
Ellas han tenido que ser acompañadas a casa porque era muy tarde.They had to be accompanied home because it was very late.
La cantante no quiso ser fotografiada por los periodistas después del concierto.The singer didn't want/refused to be photograped by the journalists after the concert.
El ganador no ha querido ser identificado en público.The winner didn't want to be identified publiclly.
Las flores necesitarán ser enviadas pronto.The flowers will need to be sent soon.
Los sacos de harina podrán ser distribuídos por las aldeas pobres.The sacks of flour can be distributed around the poor hamlets. [lit: will be able to be distributed]
Las joyas perdidas no pudieron ser localizadas.The lost jewels couldn't be found.
El producto necesita ser codificado.The product needs to be coded.
Todos nuestros productos pueden ser comprados en línea.All our products can be bought online.
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