On the previous page, we only had a look at passive sentences with subject clauses that begin with 'dat' (that).
A passive sentence with a subject clause that begins with an [interrogative pronoun](#/lesson/Pronouns.It01) (wie, wat, welke) also requires _er_ as a subject:
Dutch | English | Voice | Subject
"Ze besloten gezamenlijk wie de afwas moest doen." | "Together they decided who had to do the dishes." | Active | Ze
"Wie de afwas moest doen werd gezamenlijk besloten." | Who had to do the dishes was decided together." | Passive | Wie de afwas moest doen
Because the 'subject' starts with an interrogative pronoun (wie), we add _er:_
Dutch | English | Voice | Provisional subject
"Er werd gezamenlijk besloten wie de afwas moest doen" | (lit) It was decided together who had to do the dishes. | Passive | Er
Other examples of sentences that require _er_ as a subject:
Er werd gevraagd of ze vroeger weg mochten. | They asked ('it was asked) if they could leave earlier.
Er werd gezocht naar een adequate oplossing. | They looked (it was looked) for an adequate solution.
Er wordt thans over een nieuwe aanpak nagedacht. | _A new strategy is currently considered._