Download The Passive Voice

Use of the Passive
The Passive voice is used when
the focus is on the action. It is
not important or not known,
however, who or what is
performing the action.
Example: My bike was stolen.
1. In the example above, the focus is on the fact
that my bike was stolen. I do not know,
h
owever, who did it.
2. Sometimes a statement in passive is more
polite than in active voice, as the following
example shows:
Example: A mistake was made.
In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake
was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You
have made a mistake!!)
Examples (all forms)
Form-. To make the passive we
use: subject + be + past participle
In passive sentences we can use “by
+ the agent” to say who or what does
the action. We only include the agent
when it is important or unusual inform
ation.
PRESENT SIMPLE
Murderes are usually sentenced
to life imprisonment.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
The trial is being held at the
moment.
PRESENT PERFECT
My car has been stolen.
PAST SIMPLE
Jim was arrested last year.
PAST CONTINUOUS
The cinema was being rebuilt
when it was set on fire.
PAST PERFECT
We saw that one of the windows
had been broken.
FUTURE
The prisoner will be released
next month.
The verdict is going to be given
tomorrow.
INFINITIVE WITH TO
People used to be imprisoned
for stealing bread.
INFINITIVE WITHOUT TO
You can be fined for parking on
a yellow line.
GERUND
He paid a fine to avoid being
sent to jail.
Note
• We do not use the Present Perfect Continuous and P
ast Perfect Continuous in the passive:
• He has/had been being arrested (WRONG!!!)
OTHER PASSIVE STRUCTURES
• After certain verbs (e.g. enjoy) we use being + past participle:
Everyone enjoys being told they are good at what they do
• After certain verbs (e.g want) we use to be + past participle:
Most of us want to be rewarded in some way.
• After prepositions we use being+past participle:
Every actor dreams of being nominated for an Oscar.
• After the first/second/last (+noun) we use to be+past participle:
The first Academy Awards ceremony to be televised was in 1953.
• After have to and used to we use be+past participle:
The ceremony had to be postponed in 1993 because of a
flood.
Newspapers used to be given the winners´names in
advance.
• After modal verbs we use be+past participle:
The names wouldn´t be published until afterwards.
Note: We can use all modal verbs (can, must, will, could,
might, etc)in passive verb forms.
He can´t be trusted. All bags must be checked in at
reception.
It is said that … He is thought to…
This formal structure is used in news
reports and on tv with the verbs KNOW,
TELL, UNDERSTAND, REPORT, EXPECT
SAY and THINK.
It makes the information sound
MORE IMPERSONAL!
Examples
• It is said that the company may close.
• It is thought that prices will go up.
• The man is said to be in his 40s.
• He is believed to have left the country.
1. We should clean these windows before tomorrow.
2. The workers gave the boss some flowers.
3. The police followed the thieves into a building.
4. The mechanic can’t fix my car.
5. The neighbour has told us the news.
6. The students painted the walls last year.
7. The old woman feeds the pigeons every day.
8. They will pick up John at this office.
9. She showed the visitors the new house.
10. You shouldn’t throw litter on the ground.
11. The teacher asked the students a very difficult question at the
oral exam.
12. First, we have to read the text and then, we have to do the
exercises.
13. His parents promised Tom a hundred Euros if he passed the test
14. Did they repair all the windows?
15. The news surprised us all.