Form of the PassiveForm of the Passive

Example: A letter was written

When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:

1.1.The object The object of the active sentence becomes the subjectbecomes the subjectof the passive sentence.

He wrote a letter A letter was written by him.

2. The verb to be 2. The verb to be keeps the same tense as the main verb in the active.ACTIVE: Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet PASSIVE: Romeo and Juliet was written by Shakespeare

Subject + Subject + verb verb to beto be + Past Participle + Past ParticipleSubject + Subject + verb verb to beto be + Past Participle + Past Participle

3.3.The subject The subject of the active sentence becomes a becomes a prepositional complement prepositional complement (complemento agente) of the passive sentence (or is dropped) (or is dropped).

The Egyptians built the pyramids.The pyramids were built (by the Egyptians)

4. Sometimes there are two possible answers two possible answers (two objects inthe active sentence).

Tim gave Lisa some flowers.

Answers:

Some flowers were given to Lisa by Tim. or Lisa was given some flowers by Tim. (FAR MORE USUAL)

Use of the PassiveUse of the Passive

Example: My bike was stolen.1. In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike

was stolen. . I do not knowI do not know, 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 anyone I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.)

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.

Turn the following active sentences into passive ones.

1. They shoot a lot of films on location.

A lot of films are shot on location.

2. The mechanic is repairing our car.

Our car is being repaired by the mechanic.

3. An earthquake destroyed the city.

The city was destroyed by an earthquake.

4. They were cooking paella.

Paella was being cooked.

Turn the following active sentences into passive ones.

5. The make-up artist has transformed the actor into a monster.

The actor has been transformed into a monster by the

make-up artist

6. They had never defeated the Arsenal before.

The arsenal had never been defeated by them before.

7. They will release the film next summer.

The film will be released next summer.

8. They are going to celebrate a party next week.

A party is going to be celebrated next week.

Turn the following active sentences into passive ones.

9. You have to pay the tickets before the play.

The tickets have to be paid before the play.

10. You must respect the rules.

The rules must be respected.

11. He is happy because they are going to reward him.

(use an infinitive)

He is happy ...

to be rewarded.

12. He hates when people take him photos. (use a gerund)

He hates...

being photographed.