https://wordwall.

net/resource/599961/passive-voice
https://wordwall.net/resource/2862032/passive-voice
https://wordwall.net/resource/3890425/passive-voice
https://wordwall.net/resource/4326001/untitled1

PASSIVE VOICE
verb to be + past participle
 What is passive voice?
It is the opposite of active voice. In ACTIVE VOICE , the subject is typically the person or
thing performing the action.
In PASSIVE VOIVE, the subject undergoes the action of the verb.
Let’s take a look at these examples:

The boy kicked the ball. (active, the subject is “the boy”. The boy performs the action)

The ball was kicked by the boy. (passive, the subject is “the ball”. The ball undergoes the
action of the verb)

Let’s see if you understand the difference: https://wordwall.net/resource/315323/passive-or-active-voice

 Why would I use passive voice?
● When the person doing the action is unknown, unimportant or obvious from the context.
The art gallery was burgled yesterday. (We don’t know who did it)
The talent show winner will be announced tomorrow. (We don’t care about who will make the announcement (it’s
unimportant), we only care about who the winner is)

● When the action itself is more important than the person doing it, as in news headlines, newspaper articles, ads, instructions,
processes, etc.
The book signing will be held at the hotel.
“It” was written by Stephen King.

● When we want to avoid taking responsibility for an action or when we don’t want to blame someone or to make statements
more polite.
The window was broken. (I don’t want to say who did it)
My book was torn. (Instead of saying “She tore my book”).

● In formal writing. Passive voice is more formal than active.

If the context is formal, instead of saying “People believe that COVID-19 might end with vaccines” say “It is believed that
COVID-19 might end with vaccines”.
 How is the passive formed?
First analyze these sentences and answer the questions:
The cake was baked.
The lead role in the play is played by Sarah.
The winner will be announced tomorrow.

What do all of the verbs have in common?

Can you add by + someone in all cases?

 Subject Verb Object
ACTIVE: Mary wrote the story.

Subject Verb Agent

PASSIVE: The story was written by Mary.

The object of the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive.
The verb is turned into a passive verb.
The subject of the active sentence becomes the agent, and is either
introduced with the preposition by or is omitted.
 VERB TO BE + PAST PARTICIPLE
● Ben sells cars ● Cars are sold by Ben
● He is selling cars ● Cars are being sold
● He sold cars ● Cars were sold
● He was selling cars ● Cars were being sold
● He has sold cars ● Cars have been sold
● He had sold cars ● Cars had been sold
● He will sell cars ● Cars will be sold
● He is going to sell cars ● Cars are going to be sold
● He can sell cars ● Cars can be sold
Let’s practice some more! https://wordwall.net/resource/3052541/active-passive-voice
 Only transitive verbs (verbs that take an object) can be changed
into the passive. This painting belongs to me (intr. verb, no
passive form)
 Let becomes be allowed to in the passive
They let us go backstage. - We were allowed to go backstage.
 The agent can be omitted when the subject is: they, he,
someone, people, etc.
 By + agent is used to say who or what carries out an action.
 With + instrument/material/ ingredient is used to say what
the agent used. The sculpture was created by my brother. It was
made with clay.
 Here’s some more practice!
Together: https://wordwall.net/resource/4002936/passive-voice
On your own: https://wordwall.net/resource/3132750/passive-voice

Workbook page 129 ex. 1 (by or with), 2

Videos
https://en.islcollective.com/video-lessons/smoke-sellerpassive-voice

Ex. we will do next week (DON’T DO THEM)

https://en.islcollective.com/video-lessons/passive-voice-ratatouille
https://en.islcollective.com/video-lessons/passive-voice-with-the-minions
https://en.islcollective.com/video-lessons/boss-baby-passive-voice

Workbook page 129 ex. 3 (two objects), 4, 5, 6.