Use of the PassiveUse of the Passive

The Passive voice is used when the focus is on the focus is on the

actionaction. It is not important or not known, however, who or

what is performing the action.

The Passive voice is used when the focus is on the focus is on the

actionaction. It is not important or not known, however, who or

what is performing the action.

Example: My bike was stolen.

1.In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. . I do not I do not knowknow, however, who did itwho did it.

2. Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite more polite than in 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 I do not blame anyone anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake!!)

Examples (all forms)

Form-. To make the passive we use: subject + be + past participleIn passive sentences we can use “by + the agent” to say who or what does the action. We only include the agent when it is important or unusual information.

PRESENT SIMPLEPRESENT SIMPLE

Murderes are usually sentenced to life imprisonment.

PRESENTPRESENT CONTINUOUSCONTINUOUS

The trial is being held is being held at the moment.

PRESENTPRESENT PERFECTPERFECT

My car has been stolenhas been stolen.

PAST SIMPLEPAST SIMPLE

Jim was arrested was arrested last year.

PAST CONTINUOUSPAST CONTINUOUS

The cinema was being was being rebuilt rebuilt when it was set

on fire.

PAST PERFECTPAST PERFECT

We saw that one of the windows had been brokenhad been broken.

FUTUREFUTURE

The prisoner will be will be released released next month.

The verdict is going to be is going to be given given tomorrow.

INFINITIVE WITH INFINITIVE WITH TOTO

People used to be to be imprisoned imprisoned for stealing

bread.

INFINITIVE INFINITIVE WITHOUT TOWITHOUT TO

You can be fined be fined for parking on a yellow line.

GERUNDGERUND

He paid a fine to avoid being sent being sent to jail.

Note

• We do not use the Present Perfect Continuous and Past Perfect Continuous in the passive:

• He has/had been being arrested (WRONG!!!)

OTHER PASSIVE STRUCTURES

• After certain verbs (e.g. enjoy) we use being + past participle: Everyone enjoys being told they are good at what they do

• After certain verbs (e.g want) we use to be + past participle: Most of us want to be rewarded in some way.

• After prepositions we use being+past participle: Every actor dreams of being nominated for an Oscar.

• After the first/second/last (+noun) we use to be+past participle:

The first Academy Awards ceremony to be televised was in 1953.

• After have to and used to we use be+past participle: The ceremony had to be postponed in 1993 because of a flood. Newspapers used to be given the winners´names in advance.

• After modal verbs we use be+past participle:The names wouldn´t be published until afterwards.

Note: We can use all modal verbs (can, must, will, could, might, etc)in passive verb forms. He can´t be trusted. All bags must be checked in at reception.

It is said that … He is thought to…

This formal structure is used in news

reports and on tv with the verbs

KNOW, TELL, UNDERSTAND,

REPORT, EXPECT SAY and THINK.

It makes the information sound

MORE IMPERSONAL!

Examples

• It is said that the company may close.

• It is thought that prices will go up.

• The man is said to be in his 40s.

• He is believed to have left the country.

 1. We should clean these windows before tomorrow.2. The workers gave the boss some flowers. 3. The police followed the thieves into a building.4. The mechanic can’t fix my car.5. The neighbour has told us the news.6. The students painted the walls last year.7. The old woman feeds the pigeons every day.8. They will pick up John at this office.9. She showed the visitors the new house.10. You shouldn’t throw litter on the ground.11. The teacher asked the students a very difficult question at

the oral exam.12. First, we have to read the text and then, we have to do the exercises.13. His parents promised Tom a hundred Euros if he passed the

test14. Did they repair all the windows?15. The news surprised us all.