Passive Voice

PASSIVE VOICE


* We use passive verbs to stress the results of an action (Two men were arrested) in contrast to active verbs which are used to say what the subject does (The police arrested two men)
* The passive verb has two parts. It is formed by putting the verb to be into the same tense as the active verb and adding the past participle of the active verb(We wash the dishes ----- The dishes are washed)
* Some verbs can be followed by two objects: a person or a thing (He gave the bride a ring). When we put these verbs into the passive, there are two possibilities ( The bride was given a ring – A ring was given to the bride)


Tense Active Passive (Subject + be+ PP)


Present Simple:   I make dinner   - Dinner is made
Past Simple:    I  made dinner  - Dinner was made
Future Simple:   I will make dinner  - Dinner will be made
Present Continuous:   I am making dinner  - Dinner is being made
Past Continuous:     I was making dinner  - Dinner was being made
Present Perfect Simple:  I have made dinner  - Dinner has been made
Past Perfect Simple:   I had made dinner  -  Dinner had been made
Modals:  I must make dinner - Dinner must be made
Modal Perfect:  He must have made dinner - Dinner must have been made
Semi-modals:   I have to make dinner - Dinner has to be made





PRACTICE –Rewrite the sentences in the passive. Omit the agent if possible.


1- People speak Spanish in Peru.


2- The hairdresser is cutting my hair.


3- They gave John a warm welcome.(2)


4- He didn´t collect the money a week ago.


5- Someone will drive your car to Edinburgh on Tuesday.


6- We don´t allow smoking in this restaurant.


7- Scientists can´t explain the origin of the universe.


8- He has sent the letters.


9- Some boys were throwing stones when the police arrived.


10- You should keep the flowers in a sunny place.


11- The second group is completing the questionnaires.


12- They don´t have to paint the house.


13- You didn´t pay me your bill last month.(2)