English speakers often use the passive voice to focus on the receiver of an action rather than the doer. A passive sentence in English typically uses a form of “to be” plus a past participle, sometimes with “by + agent.”

Examples: “The door was opened,” “The report was written by the team,” “He was given a ticket.”

French does have a passive voice built with être plus a past participle, but it is used less often than in English. French usually prefers active, reflexive, or impersonal structures to express the same idea more naturally.

Using on as an alternative to the passive

The pronoun on often replaces an English passive. It produces a general subject similar to “people,” “someone,” or informal “we.” This is one of the most common ways to avoid the passive in everyday French.

Examples:

• On m’a volé mon portefeuille.
  Someone stole my wallet.
• On a annulé la réunion.
  They cancelled the meeting.
• On lui a refusé l’entrée.
  He was refused entry.
• On servira le dessert dans dix minutes.
  Dessert will be served in ten minutes.

Using reflexive verbs

Reflexive constructions with se express actions that “happen” without naming an agent. English often translates these with passives.

Examples:

• La porte se ferme automatiquement.
  The door closes automatically.
• Ce modèle se vend bien.
  This model sells well.
• Le problème se résout facilement.
  The problem is solved easily.
• Ces expressions se trouvent souvent dans la presse.
  These expressions are often found in the press.

Using être with an adjective rather than a past participle

Some English passives translate more naturally with a simple adjective in French.

Examples:

• Je suis fatigué.
  I am tired.
• La porte est ouverte.
  The door is open.
• Le dossier est prêt.
  The file is ready.
• Ils sont satisfaits.
  They are satisfied.

Using active voice with an expressed agent

Often the simplest and most natural solution is to use a normal active sentence with a clear subject.

Examples:

• Le comité a rejeté la proposition.
  The committee rejected the proposal.
• La police a arrêté le suspect.
  The police arrested the suspect.
• Le directeur annoncera la décision demain.
  The director will announce the decision tomorrow.

Using il faut or il est nécessaire de for impersonal obligation

Some English passives express obligation in a passive form. French usually prefers impersonal expressions.

Examples:

• Il faut respecter les délais.
  Deadlines must be respected.
• Il est nécessaire de vérifier les documents.
  It is necessary to check the documents.
• Il faut suivre les instructions.
  The instructions must be followed.

Using possessive or relational structures

English often structures passives around verbs such as “be given” or “be shown.” French usually avoids a passive by keeping the indirect-object construction.

Examples:

• On m’a donné ce livre.
  I was given this book.
• On lui a montré la solution.
  He was shown the solution.
• On leur a offert un café.
  They were offered a coffee.

Using il y a with a relative clause

This structure avoids an English-style passive while maintaining clarity.

Examples:

• Il y a trois articles qui restent à publier.
  There are three articles that still need to be published.
• Il y a des points qu’il faut éclaircir.
  There are points that must be clarified.

Using verbs that already imply internal change

Certain verbs inherently describe change or transformation without needing a passive equivalent.

Examples:

• La situation s’aggrave.
  The situation is getting worse.
• La peinture sèche.
  The paint is drying.
• Le marché évolue.
  The market is evolving.

Summary

• On frequently replaces English passives.
• Reflexive verbs allow the action to occur without naming an agent.
• Adjectives with être often replace English passive participles.
• The active voice is usually the cleanest option.
• Impersonal expressions such as il faut avoid obligation expressed through passive forms.
• Indirect-object structures, il y a clauses, and verbs of change further reduce reliance on passives.