Use of Passive

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action. Example: My bike was stolen. In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it. Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows: Example: A mistake was made. In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.). Form of Passive Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs) Example: A letter was written. When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following: the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle) the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is dropped)

Examples of Passive
Tense
Simple Present Simple Past Present Perfect Future I Hilfsverben Active: Passive: Active: Passive: Active: Passive: Active: Passive: Active: Passive:

Subject
Rita A letter Rita A letter Rita A letter Rita A letter Rita A letter

Verb
writes is written wrote was written has written has been written will write will be written can write can be written

Object
a letter. by Rita. a letter. by Rita. a letter. by Rita. a letter. by Rita. a letter. by Rita.

Examples of Passive
Tense
Present Progressive Past Progressive Past Perfect Future II Conditional I Conditional II Active: Passive: Active: Passive: Active: Passive: Active: Passive: Active: Passive: Active: Passive:

Subject
Rita A letter Rita A letter Rita A letter Rita A letter Rita A letter Rita

Verb
is writing is being written was writing was being written had written had been written will have written will have been written would write would be written would have written

Object
a letter. by Rita. a letter. by Rita. a letter. by Rita. a letter. by Rita. a letter. by Rita. a letter.

A letter would have been written by Rita.

Passive Sentences with Two Objects

Rewriting an active sentence with two objects in passive voice means that one of the two objects becomes the subject, the other one remains an object. Which object to transform into a subject depends on what you want to put the focus on.
Subject
Active: Passive: Passive: Rita A letter I

Verb
wrote was written was written

Object 1
a letter to me a letter

Object 2
to me. by Rita. by Rita.

. As you can see in the examples, adding by Rita does not sound very elegant. Thats why it is usually dropped. Exercise on Passive Voice - Rewrite the sentences Simple Present
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
He opens the door. The door is opened by him We set the table. She pays a lot of money. I draw a picture. They wear blue shoes. They don't help you. He doesn't open the book. You do not write the letter. Does your mum pick you up? -

Exercise on Passive Voice - Rewrite the sentences Simple Past

1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. She sang a song. A song was sung by her Somebody hit me. We stopped the bus. A thief stole my car. They didn't let him go. She didn't win the prize. They didn't make their beds. I did not tell them. Did you tell them? -

Exercise on Passive Voice - Rewrite the sentences Future

1.
2. 3. 4. 5. Jane will buy a new computer. A new computer will be bought by Jane Her boyfriend will install it. Millions of people will visit the museum. Our boss will sign the contract. You will not do it. -

6. 7. 8. 9.

They will not show the new film. He won't see Sue. They will not ask him. Will the company employ a new worker? -

Exercise on Passive Voice - Rewrite the sentences Present Perfect

1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Kerrie has paid the bill. The bill has been paid by Kerrie I have eaten a hamburger. We have cycled five miles. They have not read the book. You have not sent the parcel. We have not agreed to this issue. They have not caught the thieves. Has she phoned him? Have they noticed us? -

Exercise on Passive Voice - Rewrite the sentences with auxiliary verbs

1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. I can answer the question. -The question can be answered by me She would carry the box. You should open the window. We might play cards. You ought to wash the car. He must fill in the form. They need not buy bread. He could not read the sentence. Will the teacher test our English? Could Jenny lock the door? -