passive voice

CHIMBORAZO NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTO DE POSGRADO

MAESTRÍA EN LINGÜÍSTICA APLICADA AL APRENDIZAJE DEL INGLÉS

CALL

Riobamba - 2013

DEFINING THE PASSIVE VOICE

PISSIVE VOICEThe object take place of the subject, and we use the auxiliary be (am ,is, are together with the past participle of the main verb. Example

The meal is prepared by Mary

ACTIVE VOICE Normally, the subject is the performer of the action expressed by the verb. Example:

Subject Verb Object

Mary prepares the meal

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

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

• It is often used in business and in other areas where the object of the action is more important than those who perform the action. For Example: We have produced over 20 different models in the past two years. Changes to: Over 20 different models have been produced in the past two years.

• If the agent (the performer of the action) is important, use "by" For Example: Tim Wilson wrote "The Flight to Brunnswick" in 1987. Changes to:"The Flight to Brunnswick" was written in 1987 by Tim Wilson.

• Only verbs that take an object can be used in the passive.

The following chart includes sentences changed from the active to the passive in the principal tenses:

Active Passive Time Referen

ce

They make bread in the oven.

The bred is made in the oven.

Present Simple

Susan is cooking dinner.

Dinner is being cooked by Susan

Present Continuous

James Joyce wrote "Dubliners".

"Dubliners" was written by James Joyces.

Past Simple

They were painting the house when I arrived.

The house was being painted when I arrived.

Past Continuous

They have produced over 20 models in the past two years.

Over 20 models have been produced in the past two years.

Present Perfect

They are going to build a new factory in Portland.

A new factory is going to be built in Portland.

Future Intention with Going to

I will finish it tomorrow. It will be finished tomorrow. Future Simple

So when is it OK to use the passive?

To emphasize an object:X number of votes are required to

pass the bill.

To de-emphasize an unknown subject/actor.Over 120 different contaminants have been dumped into the river.

Active and Passive VoiceActive Voice

In sentences written in active voice, the subject performs the action expressed in the verb; the subject acts.

Passive VoiceIn sentences written in passive voice, the subject receives the action expressed in the verb; the subject is acted upon. The agent performing the action may appear in a "by the . . ." phrase or may be omitted.

DEFINING THE PASSIVE VOICE

• PASSIVE VOICEThe object takes place of the subject, and we use the auxiliary be (am, is, are together with the past participle of the main verb. Example:

The meal is prepared by Mary.

• ACTIVE VOICENormally, the subject is the performer of the action expressed by the verb. Example:

Subject Verb Object

Mary prepares the meal

PASSIVE ACTIVE•Your bicycle has been damaget.(agent omitted)

•I have damaget your bicycle

•Action on the bill is being considered by the committes

•The committee is considering action on the bill

CHANGING PASSIVE TO ACTIVE

If you want to change a passive-voice sentence to active voice, find the agent in a "by the..." phrase, or consider carefully who or what is performing the action expressed in the verb. Make that agent the subject of the sentence, and change the verb accordingly. Sometimes you will need to infer the agent from the surrounding sentences which provide context.

PASSIVE VOICE AGENT CHANGET TO ACTIVE VOICE

The book is being read by most of the class

Most of the class Most of the class is reading the blok

by?Mistakes were made

Agent not specified; most likely agents such as “we”

We made mistakes

ACTIVE PASSIVE

The dispatcher is notifying police that three prisoners have escaped

Police are being notified that three prisioners have escaped

El remitente está notificando a la policía que tres personas han escapado

La policía está siendo notificando que tres personas han escapado

PASSIVE FORM• Ballet is danced in

theaters.• Is ballet danced in

theaters?

ACTIVE FORM• They dance ballet in

theaters.

SIMPLE PRESENT

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

ACTIVE FORM

• They are dancing ballet this week.

PASSIVE FORM

• Ballet is being danced this week.

• Is ballet being danced this week?

PRESENT PERFECT

ACTIVE FORM

• They have danced ballet for many years

PASSIVE FORM

• Ballet has been danced for many years.

• Has bllet been danced for many years?

SIMPLE PAST

ACTIVE FORM

• They danced ballet last year.

PASSIVE FORM

• Ballet was danced last year.

• Was Ballet danced last year?

PAST CONTINUOUS

ACTIVE FORM

• They were dancing ballet when I started school.

PASSIVE FORM

• Ballet was being danced when I started school.

• Was ballet being danced when I started school?

FUTURE

ACTIVE FORM

• They will dance ballet next year.

• They are going to dance ballet next year.

PASSIVE FORM• Ballet will be dance

next year• Will be ballet danced

next year? • Ballet is going to be

danced next year.• Is ballet going to be

danced next year?

FUTURE

ACTIVE FORM

• They will dance ballet next year.

• They are going to dance ballet next year.

PASSIVE FORM• Ballet will be dance

next year• Will be ballet danced

next year? • Ballet is going to be

danced next year.• Is ballet going to be

danced next year?

THANKS FOR YOUR

ATTENTION