The Passive

Passive voice

The passive voice is a grammatical structure used to focus the action on the object rather than the subject.



In this presentation, we will explore how and when to use the passive voice in English

When do we use it?

• The passive voice is used to focus the action on the object of the sentence.

• The passive voice is used when the subject is unknown, irrelevant, or when emphasis is to be placed on the object.

• In the passive voice, the subject receives the action of the verb.

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of using the passive voice?

• To focus the action on the object of the sentence

• To emphasize the subject of the sentence

• To make the sentence more active

• To change the tense of the verb

Passive Voice:

It is used too emphasize the subject of the sentence. The passive voice shifts the focus from the doer of the action to the receiver. It is often used in formal writing or to create a sense of mystery.


Example: Active voice: Spielberg directed the movie E.T
Passive voice: The movie E.T was directed by Spielberg.

Passive Voice Formation

• The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.

  Active: My father built this house.

  Passive: This house was built by my father.

• The subject of the active sentence becomes the agent of the passive sentence and it is preceded by the preposition "by".

  Example: This house was built by my father.

Multiple Choice

How is the passive voice formed?

• Using the verb to be + past participle

• Adding -ado to -ar verbs and -ido to -er and -ir verbs

• Placing the subject after the verb

• Converting the direct object of the active sentence into the subject of the passive sentence

Changes in the verb

The passive voice in English is composed of two elements:

1. It is formed with the verb 'to be' + the past participle of the main verb.

2. The appropriate form of the verb 'to be' is the one that maintains the same tense as the verb in the active sentence.
   

Here are some common correspondences:

1. Simple Present:

   • Active: "I write a letter."

   • Passive: "A letter is written by me."

2. Simple Past:

   • Active: "She sang a song."

   • Passive: "A song was sung by her."

Here are some common correspondences:

1. Present Continuous:

   • Active: "They are eating dinner."

   • Passive: "Dinner is being eaten by them."

2. Past Continuous:

   • Active: "We were watching a movie."

   • Passive: "A movie was being watched by us."

Here are some common correspondences:

1. Present Perfect:

   • Active: "He has written a book."

   • Passive: "A book has been written by him."

2. Past Perfect:

   • Active: "She had finished her work."

   • Passive: "Her work had been finished by her."

Multiple Choice

What is the verb structure in the passive voice?

• The verb to be + active verb

• The verb to be + past participle form

• The past participle form of the verb to be

• The main verb in past participle form

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