Level A2

Past Passive

Past Passive: was or were plus the third form, when what happened to the thing matters more than who did it. This house was built in 1990. The houses were built in 1990. Born needs was too: I was born in April.

This house was built in 1990.

Look: This house was built in 1990. We don't say who built it.

Forms

• This house was built in 1990. — a thing: was + third form
• The houses were built in 1990. — many things: were + third form
• I was born in April. — born needs was or were

A common mistake

Wrong: I born in Montevideo.

Right: I was born in Montevideo.

A common mistake is to forget was before born. We say: I was born in Montevideo.

More examples

The letter was written in English.

Write becomes written: The letter was written in English.

The cakes were eaten at the party.

Eat becomes eaten: The cakes were eaten at the party.