English grammar
Past passive + by: was/were + past participle + by
Say who wrote, directed or told something, using the passive with by.
From the scene It was written by…
In short
To say who did something in the past, use was / were + past participle + by + the person.
Your turn
Which one goes with by + who did it?
Options: was that written by her too? · my favourite series was directed by him · the script was written by the director
Show answer
by + who did it → my favourite series was directed by him
How it works
To say who did something in the past, use was/were + past participle + by + the person: it was written by an author, it was directed by him.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Well... it (blank) all told by a neighbour on the third floor.
Options: was · were · did
Show answer
Well... it was all told by a neighbour on the third floor.
Pues... todo fue contado por una vecina del tercero.
Good to know
The participle doesn't change: the novel was written, the scripts were written.
was + participle (one thing) the script was written by the director
Tomás
No, the script was written by the director. He's Mexican, like me.
No, el guion fue escrito por el director. Es mexicano, como yo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No, (blank). He's Mexican, like me.
Options: was that written by her too · the script was written by the director · my favourite series was directed by him
Show answer
Tomás
No, the script was written by the director. He's Mexican, like me.
No, el guion fue escrito por el director. Es mexicano, como yo.
by + who did it my favourite series was directed by him
Tomás
My favourite series was directed by him. Wow!
Mi serie favorita fue dirigida por él. ¡Órale!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). Wow!
Options: Was that written by her too · My favourite series was directed by him · The script was written by the director
Show answer
Tomás
My favourite series was directed by him. Wow!
Mi serie favorita fue dirigida por él. ¡Órale!
question: was it + participle + by…? was that written by her too?
Elena
From the neighbourhood? And the script? Was that written by her too?
¿Del barrio? ¿Y el guion? ¿También fue escrito por ella?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
From the neighbourhood? And the script? (blank)?
Options: The script was written by the director · My favourite series was directed by him · Was that written by her too
Show answer
Elena
From the neighbourhood? And the script? Was that written by her too?
¿Del barrio? ¿Y el guion? ¿También fue escrito por ella?
based on (the source) it's based on a novel
Tomás
Yes, it's based on a novel. It was written by an author from the neighbourhood.
Sí, está basada en una novela. Fue escrita por una autora del barrio.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, (blank). It was written by an author from the neighbourhood.
Options: it's based on a novel · the script was written by the director · my favourite series was directed by him
Show answer
Tomás
Yes, it's based on a novel. It was written by an author from the neighbourhood.
Sí, está basada en una novela. Fue escrita por una autora del barrio.
Common mistake
Not were or has here. It = the novel, past.
Yes, it's based on a novel. It was written by an author from the neighbourhood.
Sí, está basada en una novela. Fue escrita por una autora del barrio.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| was + participle (one thing) | the script was written by the director |
|---|---|
| by + who did it | my favourite series was directed by him |
| question: was it + participle + by…? | was that written by her too? |
| based on (the source) | it's based on a novel |
More lines from the story
- ElenaWell... it was all told by a neighbour on the third floor.Pues... todo fue contado por una vecina del tercero.
- NuriaTomás, do you know anything about the film?Tomás, ¿sabes algo de la película?