Structure:
The present passive is formed using the present tense of the verb *essere* (to be) + the past participle of the main verb.
Formula:
* essere + past participle
Example:
* Verb: *leggere* (to read)
* Past Participle: *letto* (read)
* Active: *Io leggo un libro.* (I read a book.)
* Passive: *Il libro è letto da me.* (The book is read by me.)
Important Points:
* Agreement: The past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject of the sentence.
* Agent: The agent (the person or thing doing the action) is often introduced by the preposition *da*.
* Direct Object: The direct object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
Examples:
* Active: *La mamma cucina la cena.* (The mom cooks dinner.)
* Passive: *La cena è cucinata dalla mamma.* (Dinner is cooked by the mom.)
* Active: *I bambini giocano a calcio.* (The children play soccer.)
* Passive: *Il calcio è giocato dai bambini.* (Soccer is played by the children.)
* Active: *La porta è aperta.* (The door is open.)
* Passive: *La porta è aperta da me.* (The door is opened by me.)
Note: The passive voice is less common in Italian than in English. In many cases, it's more natural to use the active voice or an impersonal construction.