RECOGNITION OF SENTENCES IN PASSIVE AND

ACTIVE VOICES

The object of the passive verb is not always mentioned. If we have to mention it,
we usually introduce it by the conjunction “by”

Example: The letter was read.

How the passive voice is identified in English

1. As in Spanish, the passive voice is formed with the verb 'to be' (SER) and the
Past Participle of the Principal verb

2. The subject of a passive verb corresponds to the object of an active verb. Verbal
construction is the main indicative of passive voice sentences

3. In the forms of 'future progressive' (will be being + pp) and 'perfect progressive'
(has been being + pp) its use is not very common.

The passive voice is usually used when it is unknown or not interesting to mention
who or what does the action.

EXAMPLE:

German is spoken here

When was this house built?

Many songs have been written about love

 EXERCISES

PART I .- READ THESE PARAGRAPHS AND UNDERLINE THE PASSIVE VOIVE SENTENCES
1 .- Two soccer fans were arrested last night near the stadium. The suspects were brought to the
police station for a further investigation. Supposedly they stole a new Ferrari.

2 .- The owner of the car told police that the thieves were wearing a soccer team jersey. After the
suspects were captured, the owner of the car was called to identify the thieves.

3 .- However, the owner of the car said that he had made a huge mistake because the car had not
been stolen; the car had been taken by his wife to go to a concert because his car was damaged.

4 .- An apology was offered to the two soccer fans; in addition, the owner of the car offered to give
them $ 5,000 to make up for his mistake. The money was not accepted. The two footballers will be
released tomorrow morning.

PART II .- WRITE IN PARENTHESES (“P”) IF THE SENTENCES IS IN PASSIVE VOICE AND (“A”) IF
IT IS IN ACTIVE VOICE

1. Meal is cooked here every day. (__________)

2. She speaks English well (__________)

3. They have finished the homework (__________)

4. He was wearing a red shirt (__________)

5.- My purse had been stolen (__________)

6. The class has been finished (__________)

7. The letter was sent yesterday (__________)

8. She bought a beautiful flat. (__________)

9. A new story is being said (__________)

10. A sleeping pill was prescribed by him. (__________)