12/5/22, 16:21 Block 1 Grammar summary

Block 1 Grammar summary

Taula de continguts

1.The Passive Voice: an introduction

2.The passive voice: uses

3.How to make the passive: form
4.

1.The Passive Voice: an introduction

A simple sentence in English is formed of subject + verb + object.

Someone does something, for example:

Billy Wilder directed this film.

Susie Clewes is writing the script for the sequel.
Someone has already designed all the costumes.

These sentences are in what is called the active voice. The speaker is focusing on the person or thing that did the action
described by the verb. The person or thing that does the action described by the verb is also known as the agent.

So what is the passive voice?

Sometimes we are more interested in the person or thing affected by the main verb. In these cases we use the passive voice
and the structure of the sentence changes.

Here are the same sentences again using the passive:

This film was directed by Billy Wilder.

The script for the sequel is being written by Susie Clewes.
All the costumes have already been designed.

https://ioc.xtec.cat/campus/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=1066008 1/5
12/5/22, 16:21 Block 1 Grammar summary

2.The passive voice: uses

OMITTING THE AGENT

The passive is often used in situations when:

-the person or thing doing the verb is unknown

-the person or thing doing the action is unimportant

-or when this person or thing is

obvious. In these cases the agent can be

left out. Take the following example:

Someone has stolen my bike!

The owner doesn’t know who stole it. What is important to him or her is the bike, and that fact that it has gone:

My bike has been stolen!

Here are some other examples where the agent can be left out:

The liquid was heated to 100 degrees. (It is the process that is important, not the agent.)
The president was voted into office. (The agent is obvious.)

https://ioc.xtec.cat/campus/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=1066008 2/5
12/5/22, 16:21 Block 1 Grammar summary

3.How to make the passive: form

Positive

The passive voice is made with subject + to be + past participle (+ by + object)

In the passive the main verb always has the past participle form. The verb to be changes to reflect the tense/verb form that is
needed, for example the present perfect or the simple future:

Honey is made by bees.

My car has been repaired.
The winner will be announced at the end of the competition.

Negative

A negative passive sentence is formed with subject + negative of to be + past participle (+ by + object)
My car is not being repaired by our usual mechanic.
Honey is not made by wasps.
The winner will not be announced until the results have been double-checked.

Questions

Questions in the passive are formed with to be and the past participle.
Is our car being repaired by our usual mechanic?
Is honey made by bees?
When will the winner be announced?

FORM AND CHANGES

In this chart you can see some of the major changes that take p
lace when you change verb forms from active to passive:

https://ioc.xtec.cat/campus/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=1066008 3/5
12/5/22, 16:21 Block 1 Grammar summary

ACTIVE OR PASSIVE?
An introduction
A simple sentence in English is formed of subject + verb + object.
Someone does something, for example:
Billy Wilder directed this film.
Susie  Clewes is writing the script for the sequel.
Someone has  already designed all the costumes.
These sentences are in what is called the active voice. The speaker is focusing on the person or thing that did the
action described by the verb. The person or thing that does the action described by the verb is also known as
the agent.
So what is the passive voice?
Sometimes we are more interested in the person or thing affected by the main verb. In these cases we use
the passive voice and the structure of the sentence changes.
Here are the same sentences again using the passive:
This film was directed by Billy Wilder.
The script for the sequel is being written by Susie  Clewes.
All the costumes have already been designed.

Passive
The thief was arrested by the local police.  
Passive
Albert Einstein was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics.  
Active
The storm destroyed the bridge.  
Passive
I've been hit by a stone!  
Active
My dad gave me a bike when I was a child.  
Passive
Many people were affected by the economic crisis.  
Active
Seven students passed the exam.  

w as built
1. This house  in the 16th century.
are being made
2. The costumes for the show by hand.
hasn't been inhabited
3. This castle for nearly a century.
inspired
4. The views  him to write a poem.
is set
5. The director's last film in the present.
w ill be shot
6. The film in the summer.
aren't recording
7. The actors he dialogue until Thursday.

https://ioc.xtec.cat/campus/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=1066008 4/5
12/5/22, 16:21 Block 1 Grammar summary

w asn't being used

8. The cottage  by the owners during the summer.
has transformed
9. The make-up artist  the actress into a monster.
w as taken
10. This photo  by my sister-in-law.

https://ioc.xtec.cat/campus/mod/book/tool/print/index.php?id=1066008 5/5