2. USE OF THE PASSIVE VOICE
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: The Guernica was
stolen.
In the example above, the focus is on the fact that “The
Guernica 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 (They have made a mistake.).
3. FORM OF THE PASSIVE VOICE
The passive voice is formed:
Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular
verbs). In the next table appear the passive voice in the different tenses:
4. ACTIVE TO PASSIVE TRANSFORMATION.
CHANGES IN THE SENTENCE
The changes required to pass a sentence from active to passive are:
The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the
passive
The main verb is preceded by the corresponding form of the
verb TO BE, followed by the past participle of the verb
The subject of the active sentence becomes the subject agent,
namely, to go to the end of the phrase preceded by the
preposition BY. (This part can be deleted if we do not care who
takes the action or if it's something obvious).
5. Although less common and often used only in speech,
the auxiliary TO BE can be replaced by TO GET when
we talk about something that happens by accident or
unexpectedly. Example: And finally, They got divorced
Sometimes we can find active sentences with two
objects, one direct reference to one thing and another
indirect pointing to a person. If so, which of the two
will be the subject in the passive? Example: The nun
gave all her money to the indigents.
For though it depends on what you want to express, the
most common is the indirect object becomes subject. “The
indigents were given all the money by the nun”
6. OTHERS EXAMPLES
Sarah took a beautiful picture of the Empire State Building.
A beautiful picture of the Empire State Building was taken by
Sarah.
John is setting a new carpet in the office.
A new carpet in the office is being set by John.
My grandfather was milking the cows at the farm.
The cows were milked at the farm by my grandfather.
We are going to see the movie.
The movie is going to be seen by us.
Anne's daughter will have a baby.
A baby will be had by Anne's daughter.
