2. USE OF THE PASSIVE VOICE
• when we don't know who did the action.
• when we give more importance to what
happened.
• when we don't want to say who did the
action.
3. • The object of the active sentence becomes the
subject of the passive sentense.
• 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.
Form of the passive voice: general rule
4. Verb tenses
• Present simple
Spanish is spoken here
• Present perfect
The car has been washed
• Past simple
We were invited to the party
• Past perfect
When he got home he found that all of his
money had been stolen
5. Verb tenses
• Future (will)
It will be painted by next week
• Future (going to)
Terry is going to be made redundant next year
• Modals (could, must, should,…)
The car (could, must, should,…) have been
washed
7. Examples
• John writes the letter.
• The letter is written by john.
• John is watching tv.
• Tv is being watched by john.
• Somebody stole my car last week.
• My car was stolen last week.
• They have painted the door.
• The door has been painted by them.
• He can repair my watch.
• My watch can be repaired by him.
