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Passive Voice

Learn when and how to use the passive voice, with explanations, examples, and extensions. Master this essential grammar concept for clear communication.

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Passive Voice

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  1. Passive Voice Helpful notes by E.F. Adapted from Carmen Torres

  2. When do we use it? • When the agent is unknown • Spanish "SE" : Se vendenpisos. • Flats are sold • Subject is omitted: Le dieron un beso a Pepita. • Pepita wasgiven a kiss. • To make the object of the active verb more important America was discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus • When the description of the agent is very long A charity record has been made by many famous names in the world of pop music.

  3. THE PASSIVE VERB to BE + Past Participle + {complements} + by – agent (in the active tense) + (main verb) + {if needed} BE in the tense of the action The agent of the action [the subject in the active voice] the principal verb in Past Participle

  4. The passive sentence I ACTIVE VOICE Robert found a coin Active Subject Active Verb Direct Object Passive Subject Passive Verb Agent by PASSIVE VOICE A coin was found by Robert

  5. The passive sentence II: two-complement verbs ACTIVE VOICE Robert gave a coin to Tom Active Subject Active Verb Direct Object Indirect Object Passive Subject Passive Verb Direct Object Agent by PASSIVE VOICE to Tom by Robert A coin was given by Robert Tomwas given a coin

  6. Examples 1/Theybuiltthis house in 1466 2/ This house was built in 1466 1/ Channel islanders speakFrench & English 2/ French & English are spoken by Channel islanders 1/ This book will change your life 2/ Your life will be changed bythis book

  7. Examples 1/ Theyhave cut the grass 2/ The grass has been cut 1/ My mother is going to give me a present 2/ I am going to be given a present by my mother 1/ Susanwrotean e-mail to him 1/ Hewas written an e-mail by Susan

  8. More examples 1/ Theycan’t answer your question 2/ Your question can’t be answered 1/ Someone had to take her to hospital after this 2/ Shehad to be takento hospital after the crash 1/ They shouldn’t allowthe children to do these things 2/ The children shouldn’t be allowed to do these things 1/ Someonemust tell him if we want him to know 2/ He must be told if we want him to know

  9. Structure of the verb

  10. EXTENSION I: get, need, want • GET is used instead of BE with passive meaning. Informal English. I got stuck in a traffic jam She is getting married • After NEED/WANT the -ing form can be used with passive meaning This job needs doing That room wants cleaning

  11. EXTENSION II: get/have More passive stuff • HAVE/ GET somethingdone: Arranging for or paying for somebody to do something for you. (Get is more informal). He had his hair cut She got her carpet cleaned We have had our car mended They had got their book translated HAVE + Object + Past Participle

  12. EXTENSION III: said, believed, thought More passive stuff • Verbs like: Believe, Think, Consider, Say, Report, Know, Expect, Feel, Understand, Find • Introductory IT is used It is said that he started the fire It is thought that she doesn't live in London It was known that the King is coming tomorrow IT + passive verb+ complete subordinate sentence without changes

  13. EXTENSION III: said, believed, thought More passive stuff • Verbs like: Believe, Think, Consider, Say, Report, Know, Expect, Feel, Understand, Find It is said that he started the fire (action in the Past) He is said to have started the fire (Infinitive Perfect) It is thought that she doesn't live in London (Present) She is thought to live in London (Infinitive Present) Subordinatesubject+ verb passive +subordinate active verb in INFINITIVE.

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