Master the Passive Voice (Present)
An essential structure for B1 proficiency.
Ready to practice?
Jump straight into interactive exercises with this structure.
How it works
The Passive: The "Become" Voice
In English, things are done. "The apple is eaten." In Dutch, things become done. "The apple becomes eaten."
We use the verb Worden (To become) + Participle.
The Logic
- Active: De man eet de appel. (The man eats - he does the work or action).
- Passive: De appel wordt gegeten. (The apple sits there and receives the action).
Formula: [Subject] + [Worden] + [Rest] + [Ge-word]
By Whom? (Door)
If you want to say who did it, use Door (By).
- Het boek wordt landelijk gelezen. (The book is read nationwide.)
- Het boek wordt door studenten gelezen. (The book is read by students.)
Pro Tip 💡
Dutch uses the passive voice A LOT to sound objective.
- Er wordt hier niet gerookt.
- Lit: "There becomes here not smoked."
- Meaning: Smoking is not allowed here.
Example Sentences
Het eten wordt nu door de zoon geserveerd.
The food is now being served by the son.
De vergadering wordt geblokkeerd door technische problemen.
The meeting is being blocked by technical problems.
De straat wordt schoongemaakt door de gemeente.
The street is being cleaned by the municipality.
Het maïs wordt nu door de boer geoogst.
The corn is now being harvested by the farmer.
Het medicijn wordt momenteel getest in het laboratorium.
The medicine is currently being tested in the laboratory.