Passive Voice.

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)

You can move on practising here!

Examples of Passive

Tense		Subject	Verb	Object
Simple Present	Active:	Rita	writes	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	is written	by Rita.
Simple Past	Active:	Rita	wrote	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	was written	by Rita.

Past Simple Passive

Never forget: what rules the passive is the verb to be.

Example: She is sent home. (present)
She was sent home. (past)
She will be sent home. (future)

Try your understanding here and you can print some here.

A post is done by the teacher!

The passive voice is used when focusing on the person or thing affected by an action.

The Passive is formed:
Passive Subject To Be Past Particple

Example:
We have produced over 20 different models in the past two years. ( active voice)
Over 20 different models have been produced in the past two years. (passive voice)

Exercises here and here .