Passives - with Ser and Estar

Question 1

When do you use Ser with passives?

Answer 1

Ser is used with verbs that determine an action or a process that has an object - known as ‘passive of action’

Question 2

When do you use Estar with passives?

Answer 2

When you want to express the state that results from an action or a process. It is the result or consequence of the action that the subject receives or suffers

Question 3

With ser, how is the verb expressed?

Answer 3

It is expressed using the time period in which it occurred. Eg. El jefe es, fue, será….

Question 4

With estar, how is the verb expressed?

Answer 4

The action is presented as having been completed and estar is used to express the time frame.
Eg. está reparada, estará reparada - so estar reparada is the result of haber sido reparada

Question 5

When can estar not be used with the passive?

Answer 5

To express activities that can be interrupted at any moment, such as loving somebody or watching tv.