He was caught red-handed

Hangman

_________ ________
Challenge Check
Baby stolen at hospital
 Headlines

"US Tourist killed in knife attack."

"Famous actress taken to hospital."
"Large quake detected off Oregon Coast."
"School official suspended from duties."
"Mr. Jones sentenced to six months."
"Town destroyed by fire."
"Martin King Shot To Death: Gunned Down In Memphis"
 Passive Voice

PASSIVE VOICE is used to place emphasis on the object of an action instead of the subject
that performs the action. By restructuring the sentence, the object becomes the subject. It
can be used:
(a) when the performer of the action is unknown
(b) when the performer of the action is unimportant
(c) in formal (often scientific) contexts
(d) to avoid placing blame.

Excluding the perpetrator of the crime is often useful in writing headlines as it allows for an
air of mystery, which ultimately aids in roping readers in by their curiosity.
 Passive Voice: Examples

1. "An armed robbery was committed last night at the bank on 21st street."
2. "One popular theory was that Hoffa's body was buried beneath Giants Stadium in New Jersey. However, this
theory has been debunked."
3. "As the years go by, it appears increasingly unlikely that Hoffa's remains will ever be found."
4. "Ancient writers claim that Cleopatra VII and her lover, Mark Antony, were buried together in a tomb after
their deaths in 30 B.C."
5. "Given that significant new evidence is unlikely to appear, a firm consensus will probably never be reached."
6. "For more than two centuries, stories have circulated that Oak Island, located off Nova Scotia, Canada, held
a money pit of buried treasure — supposedly left by the pirate Capt. William Kidd."
7. "The Moon Landings Were Faked"
Phrasal Verbs: Structure

Subject + is/are/was/were + past participle

Caught Red-Handed
 Discussion

• Some people think the moon landing was faked. What do

you think?

• Do you think it's OK for anyone to have a gun?

• What are some of the craziest conspiracy theories you've

heard?
 Challenge for next session

Bring 3 clever example of ways you can be scammed, using the passive voice.