2. 1.1. 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 bag was stolen
In this case, the focus is on the fact that my bag was
stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.
1.2. Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite
than active voice, as the following example shows:
-A mistake was made.
In the example above, I focus on the fact that a
mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You
have made a mistake.).
3. The passive voice in English is composed of two
elements: the appropriate form of the verb 'to be' +
past participle.
If we want to say who or what performs the action while
using the passive voice, we use the preposition by.
When we know who performed the action and are
interested in him/her, it is always better to switch to the
active voice instead.
4. Tense Active Passive
Present Simple Tourism increases benefits Benefits are increased by tourism
Present Continuous Tourism is increasing benefits Benefits are increasing by tourism
Past Simple Tourism increased benefits Benefits were increased by tourism
Past Continuous Tourism was increasing benefits Benefits were being increased by
tourism
Future Simple Tourism will increase benefits Benefits will be increased by tourism
Present Perfect Tourism have increased benefits Benefits have been increased by tourism
Past Perfect Tourism had increased benefits Benefits had been increased by tourism
Modals Tourism should increase benefits Benefits should be increased by tourism
Modal Perfect Tourism must have increased benefits Benefits must have been increased by
tourism
Have to Tourism has to increase benefits Benefits have to be increased by tourism
Be Going to Tourism is going to increase benefits Benefits are going to be increased by
tourism
5. Christina (S) watered (V) the plants (CD) (Active)
The plants (S) were watered (Vp) by Christina (CAg)
(Passive)
6. They showed the new products to the customers
The new products were shown to the customers
The government forbid cigarette ads
Cigarette ads were forbidden by the government
They will increase the prices
The prices will be increased
Somebody should bring the book for the lesson
The book should be brought for the lesson
Adverts could influence customers
Customers could be influenced by adverts