Esteban Valdiviezo

Note:
Use a by phrase when it is important to
know who performs the action.
Remember that the basic passive is be + past participle.

The reasons for using the passive:

Example:
a. we don’t know who does the action
b. it’s not important who does the action ACTIVE
Examples: The teacher stole the computer
ACTIVE PASSIVE PASSIVE
The computer was stolen by the teacher
Someone chooses a A screenplay is chosen
screenplay
Many drawings are
They present many drawings
presented
 • The passive is the best way to express an idea when:
1. We don’t know who did the action, e.g., My
house was broken into on Friday.
2. There is no “doer” of the action, e.g., He was
killed in an earthquake.
3. The fact is more important than the “doer” of the
action, e.g., My dog was run over by a car.
Remember that the past passive verb is made up of
was/were + past participle +by(object)

Note: We don’t always use by to

show “who” or “what” did the action. In this case the “doer” of the
action in each of these
Let’s demonstrate how the by phrase is omitted here: sentences is obvious or not
The euro is used in most of Europe (by people). important, so the “by” phrase
Cars are manufactured in Europe (by manufacturers). can be omitted.

After a modal, form the passive with be + past participle.
[Subject + modal + be + past participle]
Examples:
Cellphones must be turned off in class. (Obligation)
The city should be cleaned more often. (Advice)
You can’t be fired for something you didn’t do.
(Impossibility)
Let’s practice