PASSIVE VOICE

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 PASSIVE VOICE

Definition
 A passive voice is a type of a clause or sentence, in which an action
(through verb) or an object  of a sentence, is emphasized rather than
its subject. Simply, the subject receives the action of the verb.
 The emphasis or focus is on the action, while the subject is not known or is
less important
 General form of passive sentence is :
 Subject + to be + V3 + by + Subject
 By agents can be removed under certain conditions when the speaker does
not want to tell the culprit or does not know who the object
 Example : The door was locked.

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 PASSIVE VOICE

Sentence Characteristics
 The sentence that can be used as a passive sentence is Verbal sentence.
 When we change the sentence from active to passive voice, the object
becomes the subject.
 We can use sentences with only transitive verbs in passive voice that is we
can change the sentences having object into this voice.
 This form may or may not tell clearly about the action who has done or is
doing it.
 To make clear the action who has done it we should add ‘by + agent’

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 PASSIVE VOICE

1. Passive Voice in Simple Present Tense

 Functions : a. To express a general truth
b. To state daily or routine activities or work.
 Form = Subject + BE (am/is/are) + V3
Examples :
 A bar of white chocolate is eaten by you.
S be V3 by + agent
 A cheesy sandwich is made by my maid.
S be V3 by + agent
 My phone is charged .
S be V3

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 PASSIVE VOICE

2. Passive Voice in Simple Past Tense

Function : Indicates work or activity that occurred in the past or
when the work has passed but does not indicate that the
work or activity has been completed.

Form = Subject + BE (was/were) + V3

Examples :
• Our house was cleaned yesterday.
S be V3 adv
• Three thousand people were employed by my company
S be V3 by + agent
• The questions from Mr. President were answered loudly
S be V3 adv

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 PASSIVE VOICE

3. Passive Voice in Present Future Tense

Function : Indicates an activity/work that will happen in the future.

Form: Subject + will + be + V3

auxiliary verb be
Examples :
The plates will be washed soon.
S aux. V. be V3
The bike will be bought by her
S aux. V. be V3 O
The package will be delivered tomorrow.
S. aux. V. be V3

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 PASSIVE VOICE

4. Passive Voice in Past Future Tense

The function : To indicate an activity/work to be done and completed
in the past.
Form : Subject + would + be + V3
auxiliary verb be

Examples :
The plates would be washed.
S aux. V be V3
The bike would be bought by my father.
S aux. V be V3 by + agent
The money would be sent to my parents.
S aux. V be V3

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 PASSIVE VOICE

5. Passive Voice in Present Perfect Tense

The function : To declare a job that has ended at the present time.
Form: Subject + have/has + been + V3
aux. V be
Examples :
The presentation has been prepared.
S aux. V be V3
Your application has been verified.
S aux. V be V3
The files have been sent.
S aux. V be V3

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 PASSIVE VOICE

6. Passive Voice in Past Perfect Tense

Function: To express an activity or work that was completed when
another job just started in the past.
Form = Subject + had + been + V3
aux. V be
Examples:
The presentation had been prepared when the boss came.
S aux. V be V3 V2
Your application had been verified when they sent the result.
S aux. V be V3 V2
The files had been sent before we received the email.
S aux. V be V3 V2

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 PASSIVE VOICE

7. Passive Voice with Modals

The function depends on the modal used in passive voice sentence.
Modals auxiliary verbs: must/have to, can, could, may, might,
should, and ought to used to indicate obligation/necessity, ability,
permission, suggestion, etc.

Form = Subject + modal + be + V3

Examples :
The door can be opened
S modal be V3
The English Study Club may be joined by everyone
S modal be V3 O
My homework must be finished
S modal be V3
That Book should be read by the student
s modal be V3 o 10
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 PASSIVE VOICE

7. Passive Voice in Modals

The function: depends on the modal auxiliary used in passive voice.
Form = Subject + modal + be + V3
Modals auxiliary verbs : must/have to, can, could, may, might,
should, ought to used to indicate necessity, ability, permission,
permission, and suggestion, etc.
Examples :
The door can be opened.
S modal be V3
The English Study Club may be joined by everyone.
S modal be V3 O
My homework must be submitted now.
S modal be V3
That book should be read by the student.
S modal be V3 by agent
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