Passives

We can use active constructions when the subject is the person or thing that does
the action.
I bought a really fantastic table at an auction.

We can use passive constructions…

- when who or what causes the action is unknown or unimportant
- when we want to put the focus on the object of the active sentence
We often use passive constructions in writing or in more formal speech. It is
common in news stories, scientific and academic writing.
Form: be + past participle

Exercise 8

Thousands of things are bought on online auctions every day. (present simple
passive)
The car is being cleaned (clean) at the moment. (present continuous passive)
The dress was found (find) by chance at a second-hand sale last month. (past
simple passive)
 find, found, found;
 found, founded, founded
The painting was being displayed (display) when I arrived at the auction. (past
continuous passive)
Some items have been bought (buy) at auctions recently for incredibly high prices.
(present perfect simple passive)
She bought a comic which had been published (publish) in 1938. (past perfect
passive)
Ridiculously high prices will be paid (pay) for completely useless items. (future
simple passive)
The new shop is going to be opened (open) by the mayor. (future with going to)
It seems that almost anything can be bought (buy). (modals in the passive, e.g. can)
Write passive sentences using the words given. (WB, page 55)

1 The doctor has given Alison a new prescription.

Alison has been given a new prescription.
2 You mustn't open the present until your birthday.
The present mustn’t be opened until your birthday.
3 The police are investigating the crime.
The crime is being investigated (by the police).
4 They are going to open the hotel in November.
The hotel is going to be opened in November.
5 We will drive the children to the party.
The children will be driven to the party.
6 You can see my house from the top of the hill.
My house can be seen from the top of the hill.
7 Someone was watching them.
They were being watched.
8 They haven't released that DVD yet.
That DVD hasn’t been released yet.
9 Someone might have seen the burglar.
The burglar might have been seen by someone.
 It might be the postman. / It might have been the postman.
 He might be ill. / He might have been ill.
 You must be tired. / You must have been tired.
 You can’t be hungry. / You can’t have been hungry.
10 They didn't take anything.
Nothing was taken.

You have just booked a holiday online. Read the webpage and complete the
sentences (1-10). Use appropriate passive forms. (WB, page 58)

Your booking reference is HJ980L

We have debited €450 from your credit card.

For your security we use 128 bit protection software for all credit card payments.
We are sending your itinerary by email.
Remember GoAway Travel is a ticketless airline and we will therefore not send
your tickets by post.
• You must bring your booking reference number and passport to check-in one
hour before departure.
• You cannot change the date and time of your flights.
• You can pre-book seats on the website.
• GoAway Travel does not allow smoking on any of its flights.
• You may purchase meals on the plane.
• The price includes transfers from the airport.
Please see our FAQs if you have any further queries.

1 €450 has been debited from your credit card.

2 128 bit protection software is used for all credit card payments.
3 Your itinerary is being sent by email.
4 Tickets will not be sent by post.
5 Your passport must be brought…
6 The date and time of your flights cannot be changed.
7 Seats can be pre-booked…
8 Smoking is not allowed on…
9 Meals may be purchased on the plane.
10 Transfers from the airport are included.