Grammar The Passive Voice \We use the active voice to emphasize the agent, or the “doer,” of an action: During the ecqua ata, people wear boots instead of shoes. ‘We use the passive voice when the agent of a sentence is not known or Is not Important. Instead, the passive voice emphasizes the object of the action. During the acqua alta, boots are worn instead of shoes. The passive voice consists of a form of be + the past participle of the verb, Verb Tense Passive Voice ‘Simple present During the Camival celebration, masks are worn. Simple past The walkways weren't Set up today. Future The barriers will be (are going to be) constructed. Present continuous Flood barriers are being constructed. Present perfect Their house hasn't been sold. Modal, simple present The house can’t be converted into hotel, ‘A | Complete each sentence with the passive voice of the verb in parentheses. Use the correct verb tense. 4, New Orleans badly (damage) during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. 2. Eighty percent of the city ______ (flood) 3. Some parts of New Orleans _____ still (rebuild). 4, There have been many meetings to discuss how a similar disaster (can, avoid) in the future, 5. Aconference on this subject _______ (hold next year. 6. Meanwhile, tourists are returning to New Orleans, and many conventions —____ {hold) there every year. URBAN CHALLENGES | 9