Passive senteces - VIU

Passive sentences

Poll

Do you know what a passive sentence is?

• Yes, of course!

• No idea.

• Maybe, I'm not sure.

Multiple Choice

Active or passive sentence?

"The car was repaired by the mechanic."

• Active

• Passive

Multiple Choice

Active or passive sentence?

"The mechanic repaired the car."

• Active

• Passive

Focus on the actor
"Who is doing it?"

The mechanic repaired the car.

​Active sentences

Focus on the action
"What happens?"

The car was repaired (by the mechanic).

​Passive sentences

Use

​Let's write passive sentences!

Step by step

​Step 1

Identify the object in the active sentence. It will be the subject of your passive sentence!
The mechanic repaired the car. --> The car...
The children ate the cake. --> The cake...
The chef is preparing the dinner. --> The dinner...

Step by step

​Step 1 - Practice

What's the object of the following sentences?
Type your answer.

Open Ended

Steven Spielberg directed the movie.

Open Ended

J.K. Rowling wrote a lot of books.

Open Ended

Jamie and Nick will paint the house.

Open Ended

The gardener waters the flowers every morning.

Step by step

​Step 2

Identify the verb tense of the active sentence.
The mechanic repaired the car. --> Past simple
The children ate the cake. --> Past simple
The chef is preparing the dinner. --> Present continuous

Step by step

​Step 2 - Practice

What's the verb tense of the following sentences?
Choose the correct answer.

Multiple Choice

Steven Spielberg directed the movie.

• Present perfect

• Past simple

• Present continuous

• Future simple

Multiple Choice

J.K. Rowling wrote a lot of books

• Past perfect

• Past simple

• Present continuous

• Future simple

Multiple Choice

Jamie and Nick will paint the house.

• Past perfect

• Past simple

• Present continuous

• Future simple

Multiple Choice

The gardener waters the flowers every morning.

• Past perfect

• Past simple

• Present simple

• Future simple

Step by step

​Step 3

Write the verb "to be" in your passive sentence using the same verb tense of the active sentence and add the past participle of the main verb.
The mechanic repaired the car. --> The car was repaired...
The children ate the cake. --> The cake was eaten...
The chef is preparing the dinner. --> The dinner is being prepared...

Step by step

​Step 3 - Practice

Start writing the passive sentences:
- Write the subject (the object of the active sentence)
- Write the verb to be (same tense of the active sentence)
- Write the past participle of the main verb
Example:
The students are solving the problem
The probem is being solved

Open Ended

Steven Spielberg directed the movie.

Open Ended

J.K. Rowling wrote a lot of books.

Open Ended

Jamie and Nick will paint the house.

Open Ended

The gardener waters the flowers every morning.

​How are you feeling?

Poll

Do you understand the steps to write passive sentences up to now?

• Yes! Let's move on to the last step.

• Yes, but I want to practice more before we move on.

• No, could you please explain it again?

Step by step

​Step 4

Write the subject of the active sentence at the end of your passive sentence using the preposition "by".
If there are any other elements in the active sentence, add them at the beginning or at the end of the passive sentence.
The mechanic repaired the car. --> The car was repaired by the mechanic.
The children ate the cake. --> The cake was eaten by the children.
The chef is preparing the dinner. --> The dinner is being prepared by the chef.

The students are solving the problem.

The problem is being solved by the students.

Example:

Write the sentences in the passive voice:
- Write the subject (the object of the active sentence)
- Write the verb to be (same tense of the active sentence)
- Write the past participle of the main verb

​Step 4 - Practice

Step by step

Open Ended

Steven Spielberg directed the movie

Open Ended

J.K. Rowling wrote a lot of books.

Open Ended

Jamie and Nick will paint the house.

Open Ended

The gardener waters the flowers every morning.

Well done!

Poll

Do you need more examples about how to write a passive sentence?

• No, I understand the process and I can do the homework on my own.

• Yes, I need more examples.

• Yes, I need more examples and I'd like to review all steps.

See you in the next class!