The passive voice focuses on the receiver of the action rather than the doer. It is formed using some form of "to be" plus the past participle of the main verb. Examples are provided of transforming active voice sentences to passive voice by changing the subject and object order and adding the appropriate form of "to be" plus the past participle. Common uses of the passive voice include when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from context.

1. THE PASSIVE VOICE

2. MAIN USES:

●

The receiver of the action
is more important than
the doer or performer.
The hospital was opened
(by the prince).

The doer or performer of
the action is unknown or
unimportant.
●
The car was stolen.
The doer or performer of an action is too obvious to be
worth mentioning.
●
He was arrested at the demonstration.

3. FORM OF THE PASSIVE
VERB:
●
●
To be + Past Participle
The research was carried out last year.
●
His health is affected by his lifestyle.

4. EXAMPLES OF THE FOLLOWING
TENSES:

➔
➔

➔
➔
Present Simple
Active: build(s)
Passive: is/are
built

➔
➔
Past Perfect
Simple
Active: had
built
Passive: had
been built

➔
➔
Past Simple
Active: built
Passive:
was/were built

➔
Future
Active: will
build
Passive: will be
built

➔
➔
➔
Present Perfect
Active:
has/have built
Passive:
has/have been
built
Be going to
Active:is/are
going to build
Passive:is/are
going to be
built

5. EXAMPLES OF MODAL
VERBS:

MUST

CAN
➔
➔
Active: must build
Passive: must be built
➔
➔
Active: can build
Passive: can be built

SHOULD
➔
➔
Active: should build
Passive: should be
built

6. ACTIVE TO PASSIVE TRANSFORMATION.
CHANGES IN THE SENTENCES:
To switch the active
voice sentences to
passive voice, simply:

Add the auxiliary “to
be” in the tense of the
active voice.


Change the order of
subject and object.
Add the participle of
the main verb.

7. SENTENCES IN THE ACTIVE VOICE
TO PASSIVE:
I. ACTIVE: We clean the kitchen every day.
II. PASSIVE: The kitchen is cleaned every day.
I. ACTIVE: Smoking seriously damaged her health.
II. PASSIVE: Her health was seriously damaged by
smoking.

8. I. ACTIVE: This drug has saved many lives.
II. PASSIVE: Many lives have been saved by this
drug.
I. ACTIVE: The doctors are treating the driver for
head injuries.
II. PASSIVE: The driver is being treated for head
injuries.

9. I. ACTIVE: The eye specialist examined my
brother.
II. PASSIVE: My brother was examined by the eye
specialist.

10. I. ACTIVE: The eye specialist examined my
brother.
II. PASSIVE: My brother was examined by the eye
specialist.