Introduction to the Introduction to the Passive VoicePassive Voice

Present, past and futurePresent, past and future

The Passive Voice: Form and The Passive Voice: Form and UsesUsesWhen:When:

The action is more important than the person who performs The action is more important than the person who performs it.it.

We don’t know who performed the action.We don’t know who performed the action. It is not important to say who performed the action.It is not important to say who performed the action. It is obvious who performed the action.It is obvious who performed the action.

How:How:Subject verb “to be” Past participle ++ ++

The concert was cancelled ++ ++

But:•If we want to say who performed the action, we have to use the preposition BY.For example:

Subject verb “to be” Past participle ++ ++

The concert was cancelled ++ ++ by the band

Active / PassiveActive / Passive

The subject does something

The writer writes a book

Something happens to the subject

A book is written by the writer

An active sentence can become a passive sentenceAn active sentence can become a passive sentence

A passive sentence can become an active sentenceA passive sentence can become an active sentence

An active sentence can become a passive sentenceAn active sentence can become a passive sentence

A passive sentence can become an active sentenceA passive sentence can become an active sentence

Peter buys all your albums

Active:

An active sentence can become a passive sentenceAn active sentence can become a passive sentence

A passive sentence can become an active sentenceA passive sentence can become an active sentence

Peter buys all your albums

Active:

Passive:

An active sentence can become a passive sentenceAn active sentence can become a passive sentence

A passive sentence can become an active sentenceA passive sentence can become an active sentence

Peter buys all your albums

Active:

Passive:

An active sentence can become a passive sentenceAn active sentence can become a passive sentence

A passive sentence can become an active sentenceA passive sentence can become an active sentence

Peter buys all your albums

Active:

Passive: All your albums

An active sentence can become a passive sentenceAn active sentence can become a passive sentence

A passive sentence can become an active sentenceA passive sentence can become an active sentence

Peter buys all your albums

Active:

Passive: All your albums

An active sentence can become a passive sentenceAn active sentence can become a passive sentence

A passive sentence can become an active sentenceA passive sentence can become an active sentence

Peter buys all your albums

Active:

Passive: boughtAll your albums

are

An active sentence can become a passive sentenceAn active sentence can become a passive sentence

A passive sentence can become an active sentenceA passive sentence can become an active sentence

Peter buys all your albums

Active:

Passive: boughtAll your albums

are

An active sentence can become a passive sentenceAn active sentence can become a passive sentence

A passive sentence can become an active sentenceA passive sentence can become an active sentence

Peter buys all your albums

Active:

Passive: boughtAll your albums

are

by Peter

Present, past and future passive formsPresent, past and future passive forms

ActiveActive PassivePassive

PresentPresent This boyThis boy producesproduces winewine Wine Wine is producedis produced by this boyby this boy

PastPast This boyThis boy producedproduced winewine Wine Wine was producedwas produced by this boyby this boy

FutureFuture This boyThis boy will producewill produce winewine Wine Wine willwill be producedbe produced by this boyby this boy

The correct form of the verb “to Be” + the past participle of the main verb

The EndThe End