The Past Passive

Subject + (be = was or were) + past participle

singular	plural
I was + __________	We were + __________
You were + __________	You were + __________
He was + ___________
She was + __________	They were + __________
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.

Practice listening to the past passive in The Listening Lab

Watch this video for additional instruction:

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!)