ser for passive voice?

WendyB2Kwiziq community member

ser for passive voice?

I have a Spanish grammar book that teaches this construction of the passive voice: ser + past participle + por... is this NOT correct? That same book does not mention using estar 

Asked 2 years ago
MarshaC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Yes it is correct but this lesson forms the passive using the gerundio so we must use the verb estar. If you keep working through the lessons you will encounter other ways of forming the passive which were not in your book.

DavidC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Good morning Wendy ...

As Marsha says, "ser + past participle + por..." > "El gato fue observado por el perro" is fine, but "El gato estaba siendo observado por el perro" specifically portrays it as a continuous (progressive) process.

Regarding passives formed using "Estar + [just the] Past participle" [i.e., without the "siendo"], see my question and Inma's answer in:

> Verbs Tenses & Conjugation > Level B2 > Grammar > Library > Learn Spanish faster with Kwiziq Spanish >> Forming the Spanish passive voice with ser + participle (+ por) (passive - simple tenses)

DonaldB1Kwiziq community member

That's what I was talking about.  Using estar seems awkward to me.

DonaldB1Kwiziq community member

That's what I was talking about.  Using estar seems awkward to me.

ser for passive voice?

I have a Spanish grammar book that teaches this construction of the passive voice: ser + past participle + por... is this NOT correct? That same book does not mention using estar 

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
Clever stuff happening!