Spanish · B2 · Family moment
How the Class Poster Came Together in Spanish
Helping your child explain how a class project was completed using the passive voice allows them to focus on the process and actions without assigning blame to specific individuals. This guide focuses on the 'pasiva de proceso' (process passive) in the past tense.
What you'll learn
- Describe classroom procedures using the passive voice in the past tense.
- Form the passive voice using 'ser' + past participle.
- Discuss collaborative tasks while maintaining a neutral, event-focused tone.
- Ask clarifying questions about how a shared project was organized.
Spanish phrases for how the class poster came together
¿Se repartieron las tareas antes de que empezarais?
Were the jobs shared out before you started?
Uses 'se' as a passive marker, common in spoken Spanish for these contexts.
Las fotos de los animales fueron recortadas primero, ¿verdad?
The animal pictures were cut out first, weren't they?
Uses 'fueron' + participle. The participle 'recortadas' matches the feminine plural subject.
¿Cuándo fue añadido tu nombre al póster?
When was your name added to the poster?
Past passive using 'fue' for a singular action.
¿Fueron anotadas todas las ideas, incluida la tuya?
Were all the ideas written down, including yours?
'Anotar' is a natural translation for writing down/noting ideas.
El pegamento fue pasado de mano en mano, así que todos tuvieron su turno.
The glue was passed around, so everyone had a turn.
'Pasado de mano en mano' implies the group sharing process.
¿Fue reparada la esquina rota antes de que se colgara el póster?
Was the torn corner repaired before the poster was hung up?
Combines passive 'fue reparada' with 'se colgara' (passive reflexive).
Las instrucciones fueron explicadas de nuevo después de que vuestro grupo pidiera ayuda.
The instructions were explained again after your group asked for help.
Focuses on the repetition of the action rather than who didn't understand.
Aunque algunas cosas salieron mal, el póster fue terminado entre todos.
Even though a few things went wrong, the poster was finished together.
'Entre todos' emphasizes collective effort in the passive structure.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Recortar
To cut out / To trim
Specific to using scissors for crafts.
Anotar
To write down / To jot down
Often used for recording ideas or lists.
Repartir
To distribute / To share out
Useful for talking about roles or materials.
Colgar
To hang up
Used for putting posters or pictures on a wall.
The Passive Voice (Pasiva Perifrástica)
In Spanish, to report completed events objectively, we use the verb 'ser' (to be) followed by the past participle. The participle must agree in gender and number with the subject.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular (Masc) | fue + [Participle]-o | El dibujo fue terminado. |
| Singular (Fem) | fue + [Participle]-a | La idea fue aceptada. |
| Plural (Masc) | fueron + [Participle]-os | Los lápices fueron compartidos. |
| Plural (Fem) | fueron + [Participle]-as | Las fotos fueron pegadas. |
More examples
La cartulina fue elegida por el grupo.
The poster board was chosen by the group.
Focuses on the selection of materials.
Las tareas fueron divididas equitativamente.
The tasks were divided fairly.
A neutral way to say everyone did their part.