Discussion of grammar structures used in a National Geographic video clip about the Ankor temple complex in Cambodia.

1. Comparing the Passive Voice and the Present Perfect The sample sentences in this presentation come from a National Geographic video about the Ankor temple complex in Cambodia: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/places/regions-places/asia-southern/cambodia_angkor.html

2. The passive voice changes the object of a verb into the subject. We use it when the subject is more important for some reason.

3. For example: Ankor is located in Cambodia. (Ankor’s location is the important idea in this sentence. We are not concerned about who put, or located it there.)

4. We often use the present perfect for an action that began in the past that continues in the present, or is in some other way connected to the present.

5. For example: Ankor has been an important Khmer Buddhist center since the 12 th century. (Ankor became an important Buddhist center in the 12 th century, and it still is today.)

6. To review past participles, go the the English Page Irregular Verb List.

7. Now let’s look at some examples of passive voice and present perfect in the text.

8. Started as a mausoleum for a twelfth century Khmer king, it was expanded into a representation of a celestial world.

9. Started as a mausoleum for a twelfth century Khmer king, it was expanded into a representation of a celestial world. The verb is passive (was + past participle). People expanded the complex in the past, but it’s not important to say who did it. Maybe we don’t even know.

10. Colorful history of different regimes and cultural influences has resulted in today’s sprawling complex, full of unique corners.

11. Colorful history of different regimes and cultural influences has resulted in today’s sprawling complex, full of unique corners. This verb is in the present perfect (has + past participle). This connects a process that went on in the past to the appearance of the complex today.

12. Many parts of the Ankor complex, like the monastery of Ta Phram, have been reclaimed by the surrounding vegetation.

13. Many parts of the Ankor complex, like the monastery of Ta Phrom, have been reclaimed by the surrounding vegetation. This verb is BOTH present perfect and passive. The surrounding vegetation has reclaimed the monastery, but it’s the appearance of the monastery that we are talking about, so we use the passive voice. We can still see the effects of this process today, so we use the present perfect.

14. Here, the thick jungle is festooned throughout the stonework.

15. Here, the thick jungle is festooned throughout the stonework. The verb is passive; the jungle festoons (decorates) the stonework.

16. Like many ancient structures, Ankor is threatened by exposure to the elements.

17. Like many ancient structures, Ankor is threatened by exposure to the elements. The verb is passive; exposure to the elements threatens Ankor. But it is the condition of Ankor that we are most worried about, so we use the passive to emphasize it.

18. In 1992, the complex was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

19. In 1992, the complex was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The verb is passive; UNESCO designated the complex a World Heritage Site.

20. And in the years since, the international community has come together to preserve this cultural treasure for future generations.

21. And in the years since, the international community has come together to preserve this cultural treasure for future generations. This verb is in the present perfect (has + past participle). The international community is still working to preserve Ankor, so we use the present perfect.

22. Present and Past Participle Adjectives

23. We often use a present participle as an adjective. For example: The video about Ankor is interesting .

24. We also often use a past participle as an adjective. For example: I am interested in the video about Ankor.

25. We use the present participle to describe the noun or noun phrase that is the subject of the verb:

26. The video is interesting = The video interests me.

27. We use the past participle to describe the noun or noun phrase that is the object of the verb:

28. I’m interested in the video = The video interests me.

29. Now let’s look at some examples present and past participle adjectives in the text.

30. Started as a mausoleum for a 12th century Khmer king … Somebody started the mausoleum in the past, so we use the past participle to describe the mausoleum.

31. The proportions here are astounding. The proportions astound us, so we use the present participle to describe them.

32. The so-called city of temples reveals itself … People call the place a city of temples, so we use the past participle.

33. … a labyrinth of carved temples, galleries and stairways … People carved the temples, galleries and stairways, so we use the past participle.

34. … today’s sprawling complex … The complex is sprawling. I use the present participle as an adjective.

35. … North of Ankor Wat is the walled city of Ankor Thom … In the past, people walled this city = they build walls around it. I use the past participle adjective to describe the city.

36. … North of Ankor Wat is the walled city of Ankor Thom … In the past, people walled this city = they build walls around it. I use the past participle adjective to describe the city.