Learn Portuguese Passive Voice

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Understanding the Passive Voice in Português
The passive voice is a way to say that something happens to someone or something. In Português, just like in English, the passive voice is used to focus on the action or the object, rather than who is doing the action.
Important Points
  • The passive voice in Português is often formed using the verb 'ser' (to be) followed by a past participle.
  • The past participle is a special form of the verb, often ending in -ado or -ido.
  • The verb 'ser' is conjugated to match the tense of the sentence.
  • Sometimes, the doer of the action is mentioned using 'por' (by).
Examples
  • A carta foi escrita pelo João.
  • O bolo será feito pela Maria.
  • As janelas foram limpas pelo Pedro.
In these examples, the focus is on the action (writing, making, cleaning) and the objects (the letter, the cake, the windows), rather than who did the action. This is the essence of the passive voice.
Important Points
  • Use the passive voice to emphasize the action or the result.
  • It's helpful when the doer is unknown or not important.
  • The passive voice can make sentences sound more formal.
Examples
  • O livro foi lido por muitas pessoas.
  • A música foi composta por um famoso músico.
  • Os brinquedos serão doados para a caridade.