Subject + (be = was or were) + past
participle
singular |
plural |
I was + __________ |
We were + __________ |
You were + __________ |
You were + __________ |
He was + ___________ |
They were + __________
|
She was + __________ |
It was + __________ |
|
| * Notice that the verb "be" indicates that this is in the past tense. |
Past Tense, Passive Voice |
I was paid last
week.
(the past participle for "pay" is "paid")
pay / paid / paid |
|
You were given a reading assignment in English.
(the past participle for "give" is given)
give / gave / given |
|
He was given a
big bowl of rice. The waitress gave it to him.
(both sentences are in the past tense) |
|
She was told to
finish her work. Her boss told her to finish it.
tell / told / told |
|
| It was made by
Sony. |
|
| We were both paid last
week. |
You and I = We |
| You were given some
money to see a movie. |
|
| They were served by
the waitress. |
|
| Do you notice the way the verb "be" changes? Look again
in the chart below. The main verb "give" is in the passive voice, past tense. |
Singular |
Plural |
I was given |
We were given |
You were given |
You were given |
He was given |
|
She was given |
They were given |
It was given |
|
The main verb is "give"
give / gave / given
I was gave something to eat. (incorrect!)
They were gave some work to do. ( incorrect!)
She was given some help. (correct!)
Are you ready for a quiz? Click here.
Next: Lesson Five
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