The Passive

1. The Passive INGL 3102 C. Mazak

2. Find a new verb form… The history of coffee has been recorded as far back as the ninth century. At first, coffee remained largely confined to Ethiopia, where its native beans were first cultivated by Ethiopian highlanders. However, the Arab world began expanding its trade horizons, and the beans moved into northern Africa and were mass-cultivated. From there, the beans entered the Indian and European markets, and the popularity of the beverage spread.

3. Active vs. Passive • Remember: The order of English is SVO • Subject Verb Object • Active • The workers picked the coffee. • Passive • The coffee was picked by the workers.

4. Active: The workers picked the coffee. Passive: The coffee was picked by the workers.

5. Forming the Passive • The coffee was picked by the workers. • Subject + {BE} + past participle + by + object. • The “by + object” is optional • The coffee was picked.

6. Learning the Past Participles • Regular verbs • Add –ed • Irregular verbs • See list on the blog

7. Change to passive • The farmer cultivated plantains. • The machine grinds the coffee. • The workers use fertilizer. • The government raised the price of coffee. • The workers weighed the harvest. • The farmer will sell the coffee. • The agronomist will advise the farmer.