Passive Voice

The man ate the fish. (active) The fish was eaten by the man. (passive)

The fish ate the man. The man was eaten by the fish.

The object or receiver in the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive sentence.

The fish ate the man.

The man was eaten by the fish.

ate

was eaten

(Agent)

(Agent)

Why use passive?

1. Emphasize action or receiver (not agent)

2. Don’t know agent --“secret agent”

3. Talk about materials or origin of a product

4. Avoid blame; hide guilt

Why use passive?

#1 Emphasize action or receiver (not agent)

400 homes were destroyed by the wildfire.

That job has already been filled.

He was born in 1964.

Why use passive?

#2 Don’t know agent --“secret agent”

Several nearby banks have been robbed recently.

My car was stolen!

Why use passive?

#3 Talk about materials or origin of a product

That sweater is made of* cashmere.

The painting was made with oil and canvas.

* “made of” + fabric or materials; “made with” + tools

Why use passive?

#4 Avoid blame; hide guilt

A mistake was made.

Your tests have been lost.

Form of the Passive

• Surfers are attacked by sharks.

Be + past participle

Be can be in all verb tense: is, are, am, was, were, has been, have been, etc.

Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verbs = a verb that is NOT followed by an object

Active: I slept very well.

Passive:(NOT POSSIBLE)