The document discusses the passive voice in English grammar. The passive voice occurs when the object of the sentence becomes the subject and the subject receives the action of the verb. To form the passive voice, a form of "to be" is used along with the past participle of the main verb. Examples are given of changing sentences from active to passive voice across several tenses. The document notes that the passive voice is appropriate when the actor is unknown or less important than the object that is receiving the action.

1. A passive construction occurs when you
make the object of an action into the
subject of a sentence.
WHAT IS
PASSIVE?

2. • In sentences written in active
voice, the subject performs the
action expressed in the verb; the
subject acts.

3. • In sentences written in passive
voice, the subject receives the
action expressed in the verb.

4. WHAT’S
THE FORM
OF THE
PASSIVE?

5. "to be" in a specific tense
+
past participle
=
passive voice

6. LET’S GO
THROUGH ALL
THE TENSES

7. Active Passive Time Reference
They make Fiat cars in Italy Fiat cars are made in Italy. Present Simple
Susan is cooking dinner. Dinner is being cooked by
Susan
Present Continuous
James Joyce wrote
"Dubliners".
"Dubliners" was written by
James Joyce.
Past Simple
They were painting the
house when I arrived.
The house was being
painted when I arrived.
Past Continuous
They have produced over
20 models in the past
two years.
Over 20 models have been
produced in the past two
years.
Present Perfect
I will finish it tomorrow. It will be finished
tomorrow.
Future Simple

8. • SO, WHEN IS IT OK TO USE
PASSIVE?

9. 2. If we don't need to know who's
responsible for the action.
The mail has been delivered at 10 o’clock.
1. To emphasize an object.
15 points are needed to pass the test.

10. REMEMBER
ONE MORE
THING

11. • When it is clear who performs the
action it has to be stated in the passive
sentence.
John has broken the window.
The window has been broken by John.

12. • In cases when the subject in the active
sentence is not defined (SOMEBODY,
SOMEONE, PEOPLE, THEY…) you don’t
state it in the passive.
Somebody has broken the window.
The window has been broken.
NOT
The window has been broken by somebody.