Passive voice
The passive helps French foreground the action or result rather than the person who performs it.
Examples
FrenchTranslation
Le rapport a été envoyé ce matin.
The report was sent this morning.
Les billets seront remboursés demain.
The tickets will be refunded tomorrow.
Cette décision a été prise très vite.
That decision was made very quickly.
Pattern
être + past participle
How it works
The passive helps French foreground the action or result rather than the person who performs it. This pattern typically appears as être + past participle and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.
What to notice
- The participle agrees with the subject in standard passive constructions.
- The passive often makes the sentence sound more formal or impersonal.
Why it matters
Express information more indirectly, formally, or at a distance.
Use in context
This structure appears in formal writing, institutional language, and many polished summaries.