Passive voice with Instrumental verbs
In Polish, the passive voice usually turns an active sentence's Accusative direct object into a Nominative subject. However, several verbs—especially those for leading, managing, or controlling—take their objects in the Instrumental case instead.
When verbs like dyrygować (to conduct), zarządzać (to manage), or kierować (to direct) are made passive, the transformation is straightforward: the Instrumental object still promotes to the Nominative subject. The passive participle agrees with this new subject in gender and number, just as it does with standard transitive verbs.
| This famous orchestra is conducted by a young conductor. | Ta słynna orkiestra jest dyrygowana przez młodego dyrygenta. |
| Because of stress, this ensemble is managed by the artistic director. | Z powodu stresu ten zespół jest zarządzany przez dyrektora artystycznego. |
Expressing the agent
Just as with standard passive sentences, the person or thing performing the action (the agent) is introduced using the preposition przez followed by the Accusative case.
Here are a few more examples featuring Instrumental-governing verbs like manipulować (to manipulate), rządzić (to rule), and administrować (to administer):
| The choir which sings here is manipulated by the director. | Chór, który tu śpiewa, jest manipulowany przez reżysera. |
| Mr. Director, this institution is ruled either by art or by money. | Panie dyrektorze, ta instytucja jest rządzona albo przez sztukę, albo przez pieniądze. |
| The rehearsal is directed by the conductor, and the institution is administered by the manager. | Próba jest kierowana przez dyrygenta, a instytucja jest administrowana przez kierownika. |