Spanish · B2 · Family moment
When homework feedback seems unfair in Spanish
Navigating grading discrepancies requires diplomatic language. In Spanish, using the passive voice (has been + participle) helps shift the focus from blaming the teacher to the work itself, making the conversation more collaborative.
What you'll learn
- Form the passive voice in the Present Perfect (Pretérito Perfecto de Indicativo).
- Ensure gender and number agreement between the subject and the past participle.
- Practice clarifying homework feedback politely and effectively.
Spanish phrases for when homework feedback seems unfair
Mi respuesta ha sido marcada como incorrecta, a pesar de usar el método correcto.
My answer has been marked wrong, despite the correct method.
Uses 'ha sido marcada' to match the feminine noun 'respuesta'.
¿Ha sido revisada la segunda página también?
Has the second page been checked as well?
Revisar is a common term for checking or reviewing work.
Las instrucciones han sido cambiadas desde el lunes.
The instructions have been changed since Monday.
'Han sido cambiadas' is plural to match 'instrucciones'.
Dos plazos diferentes han sido mencionados en clase.
Two different deadlines have been mentioned in class.
'Plazos' refers to deadlines or timeframes.
Tu explicación ha sido pasada por alto, en lugar de ser rechazada.
Your explanation has been overlooked, rather than rejected.
'Pasar por alto' is the natural way to say 'overlook'.
No se nos ha dicho cómo fueron calculadas las notas.
We haven't been told how the marks were calculated.
Combines passive structures to focus on the lack of information provided.
¿Le ha sido dado el mismo comentario a todo el mundo?
Has everyone been given the same feedback?
'Comentario' or 'retroalimentación' can be used for feedback.
El error ha sido corregido, pero mi nota sigue sin cambios.
The mistake has been corrected, but my mark is unchanged.
'Corregido' is the participle for the masculine 'error'.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Nota / Calificación
Mark / Grade
'Nota' is more common in casual school settings, while 'calificación' is formal.
Plazo
Deadline
Literally 'period of time', commonly used for due dates.
Pasar por alto
To overlook
A useful idiomatic phrase for errors of omission.
Revisar
To check / To mark
Used by both students and teachers regarding work review.
The Passive Voice in Present Perfect
In Spanish, the 'process passive' (something has been done) is formed by combining the auxiliary verb 'haber', the participle 'sido' (been), and the past participle of the main verb. Crucially, the final participle must match the subject in gender and number.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular Feminine | Ha sido + [Participle]-a | La tarea ha sido entregada. |
| Plural Masculine | Han sido + [Participle]-os | Los exámenes han sido corregidos. |
| Reflexive Passive | Se + ha(n) + [Verb] | Se ha cambiado la fecha. |
More examples
El ejercicio ha sido evaluado dos veces por error.
The exercise has been evaluated twice by mistake.
Useful for pointing out administrative errors.
Las dudas han sido resueltas en el foro.
The doubts have been resolved in the forum.
Note the irregular participle 'resueltas' from 'resolver'.
La rúbrica no ha sido publicada todavía.
The rubric has not been published yet.
Applying the negative 'no' before the auxiliary 'ha'.