2. Use of the Passive Voice
The passive voice is often used when we want to emphasize the
action which affects the object and the object or person itself,
rather than the subject that performs it.
They gave Mary some money for her birthday.
Some money was given to Mary for her birthday.
Mary was given some money for her birthday.
3. Form of the Passive Verb
The structure of the passive voice consists of having the verb to
be in the same verb tense of the active voice followed by the
past participle of the main verb in the active sentence.
Present Simple: use/-s --- is/are used
Past Simple: designed --- was/were designed
Present Perfect: have/has produced --- have/has been
produced
Past Perfect Simple: had drunk --- had been drunk
Future with will: will deliver --- will be delivered
Future with going to: is/are going to add --- is/are going to
be added
Modal Verb: must reveal --- must be revealed
can make --- can be made
should write --- should be written
4. Active to Passive Transformation
1.
2.
3.
Identify the subject and the object of the active sentence:
The thief stole my wallet.
Look at the verb tense of the main verb, in this example past
simple.
The object in the active sentence is the subject of the passive.
The verb to be is added in the verb tense of the main verb of
the active, that is, past simple. And the subject is now the
agent introduced by the preposition ‘by’.
My wallet was stolen (by the thief).
The agent can be omitted when we take it for granted or it is
not important to understand the meaning of the sentence.
5. 5 Sentences in Active Voice
1. Only two managers know it.
It is known by two managers.
2. They use water and sugar.
Water and sugar are used.
3. They designed different tags.
Different tags were designed.
4. They have to treat this water.
This water has to be treated.
5. They add the secret composition.
The secret composition is added.
6. 5 Sentences in Active Voice
1. Only two managers know it.
It is known by two managers.
2. They use water and sugar.
Water and sugar are used.
3. They designed different tags.
Different tags were designed.
4. They have to treat this water.
This water has to be treated.
5. They add the secret composition.
The secret composition is added.
