Passive voice vs. Active voice. Usage and structure for ESL students and teachers.

1. Active sentences
Subject Verb Object
A businessman created The Spice Cirls.
Madonna influences Britney´s music.
They chose six Spice Girls.
Passive sentences
Subject Verb Agent
The Spice Girls were created by a businessman.
Britney's music is influenced by Madonna.
Six Spice Girls were chosen.

2. The passive voice usage
Use the passive voice when …
• You don´t know who does the action.
• You don´t want to say who does the action.
• You are not interested in who does the action.
•It isn´t important who does the action.
The winner of the competition was announced during the show
( It´s not important who announced the winner.)

3. • When you want to say who the agent of the action is, use the preposition by + agent.
• Hewas interviewed by reporters from all over the world.
• The movie was directed by Almodóvar.
Note: The object of a an active sentence becomes the subject of the passive
sentence. The subject of passive constructions is not the person or thing
that does the action.
People broadcast the programs. (active)
The programs are broadcast. (passive)
To form the passive, use the verb be + the past participle.
- The Spice Girls were created by a businessman.
- The bridge is being built at the moment.
- This room has been painted recently.