Passive Voice

Passive Voice

Passive Voice

A passive construction occurs when you make the object of an action into the subject of a sentence.

Example: La Monalisa was painted by Leonardo Da Vincy

Passive Voice Structure

Object + verb to be + verb in past participle + subject (if necessary)

Auxiliar verb to be (present, past, continuous...)

Main verb in past participle

Example: The tv was bought in Alkosto.

was: past of verb to be

Bought: past participle of verb buy

Passive Voice

A passive construction occurs when you make the object of an action into the subject of a sentence.

Example:

Active: Leo painted La Monalisa

Passive: La Monalisa was painted by Leonardo Da Vincy.

Examples Active and Passive

Active

People in Korea made these shoes

Passive

These shoes were made in Korea.

Open Ended

Make the active sentence into a passive sentence.

"In many countries people speak English"

English...

Answer

"In many countries people speak English"

English is spoken in many countries.

Open Ended

Make the active sentence into a passive sentence.

"A thief stole my purse"

Answer

"A thief stole my purse"

My purse was stolen by a thief

Open Ended

Make the active sentence into a passive sentence.

"They make excellent coffee in Colombia."

Answer

"They make excellent coffee in Colombia."

Excellent Coffee is made in Colombia.

Open Ended

Make the passive sentence into an active sentence.

"These cars are not made in Japan."

Answer

"These cars are not made in Japan." 

People in Japan make these cars.

In Japan make these cars.

Open Ended

Make the passive sentence into an active sentence.

This house was built 200 years ago.

Answer

This house was built 200 years ago

Someone built this house 200 years ago.

They built this house 200 years ago.

Open Ended

Make the passive sentence into an active sentence.

My wallet was found.

Answer

"My wallet was found."

Someone found my wallet.

Open Ended

Now, let's practice. But first, please tell me if this presentation helped.