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Passive voice explanation

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Noelia Contreras

This document discusses the passive voice and its uses in English. It explains that the passive voice is used when the actor performing the action is unknown, unimportant, or implied. It is also used to talk about processes and in formal writing like news reports. The passive can focus on the indirect object by using prepositions like "to" or "for". Common passive forms are given for various tenses.

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Be + Past Participle Passive voice
For m Present simple Some historical films arent based on the facts. Present continuous The election is being held in May. Present perfect Has the village been changed by tourism? Past simple 10000 soldiers were killed in an hour at Gettysburg. Past continuous The castle was being renovated so we couldnt go in. Past perfect The hospital has been opened by the Queen three years before. Will and going to When will the new museum be built? Were going to be given the exam results tomorrow. Infinitive with to Does the city centre have to be closed to all traffic? Infinitive without to The president must be elected by a clear majority. Gerund I hate being waken up by a mosquito.
When do we use passive voice? We often use the passive when its not said, known or important who does an action: My phone has been stolen. (=Somebody has stolen my phone, but we dont know who.) If we want to say who did an action, we use by: Westminster Abbey was started by Henry III in 1245. We can often say things in two ways, in the active or the passive. Compare: Bill Bryson wrote The Lost Continent. (The focus is more on Bryson.) The Lost Continent was written by Bill Bryson. (The focus is more on the book.)
When do we use passive voice? The passive is often used in English where other languages use an impersonal verb: In Britain, stamps are sold in various shops. We often use the passive to talk about processes, for example scientific processes, and in formal writing, such as newspaper reports. The chemicals are combined at very high temperatures. Parts of Windsor Castle have been damaged in a fire.
Indirect object In a passive sentence the focus can also be on the indirect object (the person to whom something is done): They offered Angela the job: Angela was offered the job. The job was offered to Angela.
Indirect object In a passive sentence the focus can also be on the indirect object (the person to whom something is done): They offered Angela the job: Angela was offered the job. The job was offered to Angela.

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Passive voice explanation

  • 1. Be + Past Participle Passive voice
  • 2. For m Present simple Some historical films arent based on the facts. Present continuous The election is being held in May. Present perfect Has the village been changed by tourism? Past simple 10000 soldiers were killed in an hour at Gettysburg. Past continuous The castle was being renovated so we couldnt go in. Past perfect The hospital has been opened by the Queen three years before. Will and going to When will the new museum be built? Were going to be given the exam results tomorrow. Infinitive with to Does the city centre have to be closed to all traffic? Infinitive without to The president must be elected by a clear majority. Gerund I hate being waken up by a mosquito.
  • 3. When do we use passive voice? We often use the passive when its not said, known or important who does an action: My phone has been stolen. (=Somebody has stolen my phone, but we dont know who.) If we want to say who did an action, we use by: Westminster Abbey was started by Henry III in 1245. We can often say things in two ways, in the active or the passive. Compare: Bill Bryson wrote The Lost Continent. (The focus is more on Bryson.) The Lost Continent was written by Bill Bryson. (The focus is more on the book.)
  • 4. When do we use passive voice? The passive is often used in English where other languages use an impersonal verb: In Britain, stamps are sold in various shops. We often use the passive to talk about processes, for example scientific processes, and in formal writing, such as newspaper reports. The chemicals are combined at very high temperatures. Parts of Windsor Castle have been damaged in a fire.
  • 5. Indirect object In a passive sentence the focus can also be on the indirect object (the person to whom something is done): They offered Angela the job: Angela was offered the job. The job was offered to Angela.
  • 6. Indirect object In a passive sentence the focus can also be on the indirect object (the person to whom something is done): They offered Angela the job: Angela was offered the job. The job was offered to Angela.