PASSIVE VOICE

(PRESENT AND PAST)

Use of Passive

Passive voice is used when:

 The focus is on the action.

 It is not important or not known who or what is
performing the action.

 Example: My bike was stolen.

In the example above, the focus is on the fact
that my bike was stolen. I do not know who did
it.
Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite
than 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.).
Form of Passive

Subject + ( be )+ Past Participle

(3rd column of irregular verbs)

Present simple:
Subject+ is/are + Past Participle
Past simple:
Subject+ was/were + Past Participle
Examples
Form of Passive

 When rewriting active sentences in passive voice,

note the following:

 the object of the active sentence becomes the

subject of the passive sentence.
 the form of the verb is changed (to be + past
participle)
 the subject of the active sentence becomes the
agent of the passive sentence. It is placed after
the past participle and is preceded by the
preposition by.
Form of Passive Example:

Active

Passive
Lets practice
Rewrite the sentences in passive voice . (simple
present)

1. He opens the door. - The door is opened by

him.
2. She pays a lot of money. -
3. I draw a picture. -
4. Rita sends emails.
5. Everyone speaks English here. -
Rewrite the sentences in passive voice (simple
past).
1. She sang a song. - The song was sung by
her.
2. We stopped the bus. -
3. A thief stole my car. -
4. Sandra lost the letter. -
5. Leonardo DaVinci painted The Mona Lisa. -
 Complete the passive voice activities 3
and 4 of the pasive voice workshop.