B1IntermediateVerbs · Point 31 / 40
être + participe passé, on + verbe, Le projet est approuvé.
The passive is formed with “être” + past participle: “la transaction a été refusée”, “le projet est approuvé”, “la commande est reçue”.
| Structure | Pattern | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| être | + participe passé | forms the passive voice, stresses the result |
| on | + verbe | the more natural spoken way of talking about the action |
| Le projet est approuvé. | — | present-tense passive, describes a current state |
In the passive, the participle agrees with the subject: “la transaction” → “refusée”. Both constructions are correct: the passive stresses the result, “on” stresses the action.
In context
Examples from our dialogues
Lines taken from our dialogues. Listen to them, then open the full dialogue to hear them in a real situation.
- Listen
Je suis désolé, la transaction a été refusée.
I am sorry, the transaction was declined.
Check The Full DialogueHandling a declined card at checkoutGérer une carte refusée à la caisse
A2 - Listen
Le projet est approuvé. On prépare la demande de subvention.
The project is approved. We prepare the subsidy application.
Check The Full DialogueLaunching a community projectLancer un projet communautaire
C1 - Listen
La confirmation veut dire que la commande est reçue, pas qu'elle est prête.
The confirmation means the order is received, not that it's ready.
Check The Full DialogueFollowing up on an online order at the deskSuivre une commande en ligne au comptoir
B1 - Listen
Parfait. Et on a réservé une salle privée au restaurant.
Perfect. And we booked a private room at the restaurant.
Check The Full DialogueOrganizing a retirement partyOrganiser une fête de retraite
C1 Votre dossier a été envoyé hier. À l’oral, on dira plutôt : on a envoyé votre dossier hier.
Your file was sent yesterday. In speech you would rather say: we sent your file yesterday.
Watch out
Common mistakes
Mistakes you will often hear, and the right way to say it.
La demande a été refusé.La demande a été refusée.
In the passive, the participle agrees with the subject: “la demande” is feminine, so “refusée”. You cannot hear the difference, but in writing it counts.
Le formulaire a été envoyé par moi.J'ai envoyé le formulaire.
When you know who did the action, the passive with “par moi” sounds heavy. Just say “j’ai envoyé”, or, if the doer does not matter, “on a envoyé le formulaire”.
Read
Related readings
Short texts where this point comes up. Read them to see it inside a story.