THE PASSIVETHE PASSIVE

We use the Passive Voice when the We use the Passive Voice when the AgentAgent is is unknownunknown or or unimportantunimportant::

People speak EnglishPeople speak English = =

English is spoken all over the world.English is spoken all over the world.

They sell cars in that shopThey sell cars in that shop = =

Cars are sold in that shop.Cars are sold in that shop.

They built a houseThey built a house = =

A house was built. A house was built.

(Spanish = Se …)(Spanish = Se …)

Or to make the Or to make the ObjectObject of the Active of the Active Sentence Sentence more importantmore important: :

HamletHamlet was written by Shakespeare. was written by Shakespeare.

A windowA window has been broken. has been broken.

Transforming from Active to Passive Transforming from Active to Passive Voice:Voice:

ACTIVE: ACTIVE:

MaryMary boughtbought a book a book

PASSIVE: PASSIVE:

A book A book was bought was bought by Maryby Mary

CHANGES:CHANGES:

Active Object becomes Passive Subject: A bookActive Object becomes Passive Subject: A book

Verb “Be” in the same tense as Active Verb + Verb “Be” in the same tense as Active Verb + Active Verb in the Past Participle: is boughtActive Verb in the Past Participle: is bought

Subject: Agent with “BY”: by Mary (It can be Subject: Agent with “BY”: by Mary (It can be omitted when it isn’t relevant).omitted when it isn’t relevant).

Complete the Chart:Complete the Chart:

He writes novels: He writes novels: He is writing novels:He is writing novels:He wrote novels: He wrote novels: He was writing novels:He was writing novels:He has written novels:He has written novels:He had written novels:He had written novels:He can/ will/ may/ …write novels:He can/ will/ may/ …write novels:He can/may / will/ have written novels:He can/may / will/ have written novels:

Novels are written by him* (not Novels are written by him* (not “he”).“he”).

Novels are …Novels are …Novels were …Novels were …Novels were …Novels were …Novels have …Novels have …Novels had …Novels had …Novels can/ will/ may …Novels can/ will/ may …Novels can/ may/ will …Novels can/ may/ will …

Check the chart:Check the chart:

He writes novels: He writes novels:

He is writing novels:He is writing novels:

He wrote novels: He wrote novels:

He was writing novels:He was writing novels:

He has written novels:He has written novels:

He had written novels:He had written novels:

He can/ will/ may/ …write novels:He can/ will/ may/ …write novels:

He can/may / will/ have written novels:He can/may / will/ have written novels:

Novels are written by him.Novels are written by him.

Novels are BEING WRITTENNovels are BEING WRITTEN

Novels were WRITTENNovels were WRITTEN

Novels were BEING WRITTENNovels were BEING WRITTEN

Novels have BEEN WRITTENNovels have BEEN WRITTEN

Novels had BEEN WRITTENNovels had BEEN WRITTEN

Novels can/ will/ may BE WRITTENNovels can/ will/ may BE WRITTEN

Novels can/ may/ will HAVE BEEN Novels can/ may/ will HAVE BEEN WRITTENWRITTEN

..

More Passive Stuff:More Passive Stuff:

In informal English “GET” is used In informal English “GET” is used instead of “BE”:instead of “BE”:

The keys got lost.The keys got lost.They are getting married.They are getting married.

NEED or WANT + Verb-ING = Passive:NEED or WANT + Verb-ING = Passive:Your car needs washing (= to be washed)Your car needs washing (= to be washed)My room wants cleaning (= to be cleaned)My room wants cleaning (= to be cleaned)

Sentences with two Objects:Sentences with two Objects:

When the active sentence has two Objects When the active sentence has two Objects (verbs (verbs such as lend, give, tell, send, …)such as lend, give, tell, send, …) : :

Mick will tell Mick will tell usus everything.everything.

Jack has lent Jack has lent meme a pen.a pen.

The The INDIRECT OBJECTINDIRECT OBJECT often becomes the often becomes the SUBJECTSUBJECT in the Passive: in the Passive:

We We will be told will be told everything everything by Mick.by Mick.

I I have been lent have been lent a pen a pen by Jack.by Jack.

Verbs like: Verbs like: Believe, Think, Consider, Estimate, Know, Expect, …Believe, Think, Consider, Estimate, Know, Expect, …

when followed by a subordinate clause:when followed by a subordinate clause:

They think They think that Jenny is from Canada.that Jenny is from Canada.Teachers consider Teachers consider that Will doesn’t study hard.that Will doesn’t study hard.

Change to:Change to:

1)1) It It + + Passive VerbPassive Verb + + Subordinate ClauseSubordinate Clause

ItIt is thoughtis thought that Jenny is from Canada. that Jenny is from Canada.

ItIt is consideredis considered that Will doesn’t study hard. that Will doesn’t study hard.

OROR

2) 2) Subordinate SubjectSubordinate Subject + + Passive Verb + Passive Verb + Subordinate Active Verb in Infinitive:Subordinate Active Verb in Infinitive:

Jenny Jenny is thought is thought to beto be from Canada. from Canada.

Will Will is considered is considered not to studynot to study hard. hard.

HAVE/ GET HAVE/ GET SOMETHING DONE:SOMETHING DONE:

When you arrange to / pay for / have someone When you arrange to / pay for / have someone else do a thing for you (Get is more informal):else do a thing for you (Get is more informal):

I had I had my hair my hair cut (by the hairdresser)cut (by the hairdresser)

The Prince is having The Prince is having his portrait his portrait painted (by a painted (by a painter)painter)

We often have We often have our shopping our shopping delivered.delivered.

I’ve just had I’ve just had my car my car repaired (by a mechanic).repaired (by a mechanic).