Active Farmers grow grapes. (S. Present) The noise annoyed Ali. (S. Past) Ahmad has emailed the message. (Present Perfect) Passive Grapes are grown. (Present Passive) Ali was annoyed by the noise. (Past Passive) The message has been emailed by Ahmad. (Present Perfect Passive) Passive Voice VS. Active Verb by Buthaina Al Othman 1999-2004 Buthaina al-Othman

Active

Farmers grow grapes.

(S. Present)

The noise annoyed Ali.

(S. Past)

Ahmad has emailed the message.

(Present Perfect)

Passive

Grapes are grown.

(Present Passive)

Ali was annoyed by the noise.

(Past Passive)

The message has been emailed by Ahmad.

(Present Perfect Passive)

Passive Voice VS. Active Verb There are five reasons for using the passive voice instead of the active tense. 1999-2004 Buthaina al-Othman

There are five reasons for using the passive voice instead of the active tense.

Reason 1: to emphasize the action not the person/doer who performs it Example: The computer was invented in the 1960s. 1999 Buthaina al-Othman

Example:

The computer was invented in the

1960s.

Reason 2: formal writing, scientific and technical reports, and News stories Example: Vertebrates are classified into four groups. (Scientific writing) The computer was invented in the 1960s. (Scientific writing) H.H. the Amir was treated by the best British doctors, according to recent press reports. (News stories) 1999-2004 Buthaina al-Othman

Example:

Vertebrates are classified into four groups. (Scientific writing)

The computer was invented in the 1960s. (Scientific writing)

H.H. the Amir was treated by the best British doctors, according to recent press reports. (News stories)

Reason 3: when you don’t know who performed the action Example: The dogs were let out! (Who let the dogs out?) All the cookies were eaten ! The bell was rung . 1999-2004 Buthaina al-Othman

Example:

The dogs were let out! (Who let the dogs out?)

All the cookies were eaten !

The bell was rung .

Reason 4: when the person who performed the action is obvious Example: Wheat is cultivated in the East. Kuwaiti POWs were treated cruelly. Kuwait was invaded in 1990. 1999-2004 Buthaina al-Othman

Example:

Wheat is cultivated in the East.

Kuwaiti POWs were treated cruelly.

Kuwait was invaded in 1990.

Reason 5: when you don’t want to tell who performed the action Example: A mistake was made . He/She was provided with little information. The students were given the wrong schedule. 1999-2004 Buthaina al-Othman

Example:

A mistake was made .

He/She was provided with little information.

The students were given the wrong schedule.