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Passive Voice in English

Passive Voice in English. The passive voice is used in English to bring emphasis to the part of the sentence that would traditionally be the object of the sentence: Active voice: Barack Obama delivered the keynote speech. (keynote speech – object)

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Passive Voice in English

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  1. Passive Voice in English

  2. The passive voice is used in English to bring emphasis to the part of the sentence that would traditionally be the object of the sentence: • Active voice: Barack Obama delivered the keynote speech. (keynote speech – object) • Passive voice: The keynote speech was delivered by Barack Obama. (keynote speech – subject) • Active: He sent the letter yesterday. (letter – object) • Passive: The letter was sent yesterday (letter – subject)

  3. 1. When the agent of an action is unknown or unimportant: Ex. $1,000,000 was given to the hospital by an anonymous donor. Ex. The painting was stolen from the museum last night. 2. To emphasize a deed or action: Ex. The book was written many years ago. Ex. The game-winning goal was scored in the 90th minute of the match. When to Use the Passive Voice

  4. 3. To emphasize who/what an action or deed is done to: • Ex. The principal was offended by the student’s harsh words. • Ex. The priest’s sermon was interrupted by my girlfriend’s Lady Gaga cell phone ring tone. When to Use the Passive Voice (Continued)

  5. To make a sentence in the active voice passive: • 1. Identify the object and make it subject of the new sentence. • 2. Conjugate the verb ‘to be’ in the appropriate verb tense. • 3. Make the verb of the original sentence a participle. • 4. Optional: original subject preceded by the preposition ‘by’ and follows the verb. (more on this later) Forming the Passive Voice

  6. Example: • James Joyce wrote Ulysses in the first quarter of the 20th century. • Object of active voice sentence : Ulysses • Verb of active voice sentence: ‘wrote’ (past tense) • Ulysses was written by James Joyce in the first quarter of the 20th century. Forming the Passive Voice

  7. Modal verbs in English: • Can, could, may, might, will, would, must, shall, should, ought to • When modal verbs are present, follow the modal verb with ‘be + past participle’ • He might bring some more wine to the party. (Active) • Some more wine might be brought to the party. (Passive) Modal verbs

  8. It is not always necessary to include the original subject in sentences converted to passive voice from active voice. • Example: • After the ceremony, my grandmother prepared a brunch for the guests. (Active voice) • After the ceremony, a brunch was prepared for the guests. (Passive voice) Note about the Original Subject…

  9. The family is taking a photograph in front of the cathedral. (active) • A photograph is being taken in front of the cathedral. (passive) • Ray Charles will sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. (active) • The National Anthem will be sung by Ray Charles. (passive) Examples with different verb tenses

  10. The teacher has closed all of the windows in the classroom. (A) • The windows in the classroom have been closed. (P) • The students will have drunk all of the coffee by the time we get to the class. (A) • All of the coffee will have been drunk by the time we get to the class. More examples…

  11. Warren Buffett could deliver the keynote speech at this year’s Young Investors’ Convention. • The keynote speech at this year’s Young Investors’ Convention could be delivered by Warren Buffet.

  12. The students sang ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee’ at the assembly. • The pirates had abandoned much of the treasure by the time they reached Key West. • Someone removed the inappropriate comments from the website. Practice in Forming the Passive Voice

  13. His aunt will take the dog to the veterinary hospital later. • In an ugly act of poor sportsmanship, the team’s mascot punched the referee. • The babysitter might take the kids to the amusement park later. Practice…

  14. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. • They hadn’t shut the front passenger door before they started driving. Practice…

  15. Think of a recent piece of news—preferably a crime committed—and write about it. Include at least three sentences using the passive voice. • If you can’t think of a specific piece of news or a crime committed, invent one. Activity

  16. DOUBLE OBJECT Thebankshavegivenmoneytothepolitician - • Money has beengiventothepolitician (bythebanks) • Thepolitician has beengivenmoney (bythebanks) • IT SUBJECT Itisrumouredthatthepolitician has received moneyfromthebanks • ALTERNATIVE WITH A PERSONAL SUBJECT Thepoliticianisrumouredtohavereceived moneyfromthebanks • CAUSATIVE HAVE Thepolitician has hadhishouserebuilt SPECIAL PASSIVE CONSTRUCTIONS

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