Spanish/The Passive Voice

La voz pasiva (the passive voice) is formed in Spanish with ser + participio pasado.

El soldado en la pintura "Guernica" fue mutilado por las bombas.
The soldier in the painting "Guernica" was mutilated by the bombs.

It is used when the agent of the verb is unknown, but can also be used (as in this example) to put more emphasis on the person or thing which receives the action as opposed to the subject.

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