2. Use of Passive Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action. Example: My bike was stolen. In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it. Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows: Example: A mistake was made. In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.).
3. Form of Passive
Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)
Example: A letter was written.
When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:
the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence
the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle)
the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is dropped)
4. Present Simple – AV(I write a letter to Aaron)/ PV(A letter is written to Aaron)
Past Simple – AV(You ate some fish yesterday)/ PV(Some fish was eaten yesterday)
Present Perfect – AV(She has drunk a lot of coffee)/ PV(A lot of coffee has been drunk by her)
Past Perfect Simple – John had sung an emotional song/ PV(An emotional song had been sung by him)
Future with will – AV(We will take a family picture)/ PV(A family picture will be taken by us)
Going to future – AV(They are going to have a great party)/ PV(A great party is going to be had by them)
Modal verb . AV(I must write a letter/I can write a letter/I should write a letter)/ PV(The letter must be written/ The letter can be written/ The letter should be written)
5. The science class viewed the comet. (active) The comet was viewed by the science class. (passive)
Who ate the last cookie? (active) The last cookie was eaten by whom? (passive)
Alex posted the video on Facebook. (active) The video was posted on Facebook by Alex. (passive)
The director will give you instructions. (active) Instructions will be given to you by the director. (passive)
Thousands of tourists view the Grand Canyon every year. (active) The Grand Canyon is viewed by thousands of tourists every year. (passive)
