Lesson FourThe Past Passive 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" (was or were) 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. | |
Watch this video for additional instruction: | 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 |
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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 future tense, passive voice | 
