Mr.Maru: Sparky, you don't look so good. What happened?

Sparky: I was rained on.

Mr.Maru: That's not so bad.

Sparky: But, I couldn't see where I was going. I was hit by a stroller.

Mr.Maru: Well, you should be more careful.

Sparky: Yeah, then I was pet by the kid in the stroller.

Mr.Maru: Ahh, that's cute.

Sparky: He had peanut butter all over his hands. Now, I smell like peanut butter.

Mr.Maru: I was wondering about that.

(Note: Sparky is always using incorrect/unnatural grammar.)

What is the difference between be and get when we use the passive voice? We can form the passive voice with either the be + past participle or get + past participle. What is the difference between these? Let's go over some examples and rules.

The basic use of be for the passive voice

We can use the verb 'be' for the passive voice. This is the verb we usually use to talk about something passively. For example,

This book was written by Stephen King. (Stephen King wrote this book.)
The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci. (Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa.)

The basic use of get for the passive voice

We can also use the verb get in the exact same way. For example,

I got hit by a car. (A car hit me.)
He got dumped by his girlfriend. (His girlfriend dumped him.)

be vs. get

So, if we can use both be and get to talk about the passive. What is the difference between the two? Is there a difference?

Well, yes there is a small difference. When we use the verb be, it is for slower, more planned activities. For example, was written, was painted, was directed (a movie), etc...

When we use the verb get, is for more immediate or unplanned activities. It also sounds more dynamic. For example, got hit, got attacked, got dumped, etc...

If something happened a short time ago, we often use get. For example,

I got hit by a car last night.
I was hit by a car 5 years ago.

You are always correct using the be verb, but it might sound better and more active if you use the get verb.

Do you think you understand? Let's take a short quiz to check.

1) The leftovers ____ eaten by the kids. Now, I don't know what to cook for dinner.

a) got

b) were
c) was

2) This building _____ designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

a) got
b) were
c) was

3) When I climbed Mt. Fuji last year, I ____ attacked by a bear.

a) got
b) were
c) was

1) – a) It was unplanned. We didn't want the leftovers to be eaten by the kids.

2) – c) It was planned. It took some time for Frank to design the building.

3) – c) since some time has passed (a year) the be-verb sounds more natural here.

Thanks for stopping by! Can you make a sentence using the passive voice? Let me know in the comments below.