In Spanish, when you want to express who performs an action in passive voice constructions, you’ll use the preposition “por” (meaning “by”). This construction is similar to using “by” in English passive voice sentences. Let’s explore how this works and when to use it.
The Basic Structure
To form a passive voice sentence with “por,” you need:
- Subject (receiver of the action)
- Form of “ser” (to be)
- Past participle
- “Por”
- Agent (doer of the action)
Common Examples
- “La casa fue construida por mi abuelo.” (The house was built by my grandfather.)
- “Las normas fueron establecidas por el gobierno.” (The rules were established by the government.)
- “El cuadro será pintado por un artista famoso.” (The painting will be painted by a famous artist.)
When to Use “Por” in Passive Voice
- To emphasize who performed the action
- When the agent (doer) is important to the meaning
- In formal writing and academic contexts
- To maintain focus on the receiver of the action
Important Notes
- The past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject.
- “Por” always precedes the agent.
- The passive voice with “por” is more common in written Spanish than spoken.
Real-World Applications
- News Headlines: “El acuerdo fue firmado por los presidentes.” (The agreement was signed by the presidents.)
- Literature: “Don Quijote fue escrito por Miguel de Cervantes.” (Don Quixote was written by Miguel de Cervantes.)
- Business: “El proyecto será dirigido por María González.” (The project will be directed by María González.)
- Science: “El descubrimiento fue realizado por científicos españoles.” (The discovery was made by Spanish scientists.)
Alternative Forms
While passive voice with “por” is correct, Spanish often prefers active voice or the “se” passive construction. However, when you need to explicitly state who performed an action in a passive construction, “por” is your go-to preposition.
Compare:
- Passive with “por”: “El documento fue revisado por el abogado.” (The document was reviewed by the lawyer.)
- Active: “El abogado revisó el documento.” (The lawyer reviewed the document.)
Additional Examples
- “La sinfonía fue compuesta por Mozart.” (The symphony was composed by Mozart.)
- “Las leyes son aplicadas por los jueces.” (The laws are enforced by the judges.)
- “La carta será entregada por el cartero.” (The letter will be delivered by the mailman.)
Common Contexts
- Academic writing
- Legal documents
- Historical accounts
- News reports
- Scientific papers
- Formal documentation
Remember that while this construction is grammatically correct and useful in formal contexts, Spanish generally favors active voice in everyday communication. However, mastering the passive voice with “por” will enhance your ability to express complex ideas and understand formal Spanish texts.