PASSIVE VOICEpreview

HOW IS PASSIVE FORMED?

1) Switch AGENT (subject) and object:

I wrote this book.

This book wrote (me.)

2) Change the main verb to past participle:

I wrote this book.

This book written (me.)

3) Add helping verb:

I wrote this book.

This book was written (me.)

Notice the “be” verb matches TENSE of the main verb, and the past participle matches MEANING.

I wrote this book.

This book was written …Simple Past Past Participle

4) Keep the Agent if you have a good reason to!

I wrote this book.

This book was written by me.

Use passive voice only if you have a good reason:

-- The agent is unknown -- The agent is obvious -- The subject is too general, like “people” -- The author is avoiding direct blame or criticism -- The subject isn’t really important; I choose to stress the OBJECT

a. The agent is unknown.b. The agent is obvious or the subject is too general, like “people”.c. The author is avoiding blame.

Sugar has been used to sweeten tea and coffee for over a thousand years.

Sugar has been used to sweeten tea and coffee for over a thousand years.

b. The agent is obvious or the subject is too general, like “people”.

Sugar has been used to sweeten tea and coffee for over a thousand years.

Sugar has been used to sweeten tea and coffee for over a thousand years.

a. The agent is unknown.b. The agent is obvious or the subject is too general, like “people”.c. The author is avoiding blame.

The lock on our front door was broken while we were sleeping.

The lock on our front door was broken while we were sleeping.

a. The agent is unknown.

The lock on our front door was broken while we were sleeping.

The lock on our front door was broken while we were sleeping.

a. The agent is unknown.b. The agent is obvious or the subject is too general, like “people”.c. The author is avoiding blame.

A lot of rice is eaten in Asia. A lot of rice is eaten in Asia.

b. The agent is obvious or the subject is too general, like “people”.

A lot of rice is eaten in Asia. A lot of rice is eaten in Asia.

a. The agent is unknown.b. The agent is obvious or the subject is too general, like “people”.c. The author is avoiding blame.

A few of this newspaper's recent articles have been poorly researched.

A few of this newspaper's recent articles have been poorly researched.

c. The author is avoiding blame.

A few of this newspaper's recent articles have been poorly researched.

A few of this newspaper's recent articles have been poorly researched.

a. The agent is unknown.b. The agent is obvious or the subject is too general, like “people”.c. The author is avoiding blame.

All of the birthday presents were opened in front of the guests.

All of the birthday presents were opened in front of the guests.

b. The agent is obvious.

All of the birthday presents were opened in front of the guests.

All of the birthday presents were opened in front of the guests.

a. The agent is unknown.b. The agent is obvious or the subject is too general, like “people”.c. The author is avoiding blame.

Mistakes were made as the project continued.Mistakes were made as the project continued.

c. The author is avoiding blame.

Mistakes were made as the project continued.Mistakes were made as the project continued.

•Police caught the escaped prisoners late last night.

•The escaped prisoners were caught late last night.

Change active to passive or

passive to active

Change active to passive or

passive to active

•By the time we arrived, doctors had reviewed the results of her blood test.

•By the time we arrived, the results of her blood test had been reviewed.

•Victor and I stayed at a beautiful lodge overlooking Lake Michigan.

•Not possible.

•Beginning next semester, the security guards will allow only registered students to enter the building at night.

•Beginning next semester, only registered students will be allowed to enter the building at night.

•The baggage handlers have lost Martin's luggage.

•Martin's luggage has been lost.

•The examination consists of ten different question types.

•Not possible

Choose the correct response to complete each

conversation.

Choose the correct response to complete each

conversation.

a. It'll probably continue for another hour.b. It won't be continued for long.c. It is going to be continued for

a while longer.

A: It's been snowing all day.B: ______

A: It's been snowing all day.B: ______

a. Yes, I interviewed them yesterday.b. Yes, they have been interviewed.c. No, I'm going tomorrow.

A: A: Have you been interviewed by the company directors yet? B: ______

A: A: Have you been interviewed by the company directors yet? B: ______

a. Yes, his manager gave it to him yesterday.b. No, Kevin hasn't given him anything.c. Not yet. Kevin is giving the warning today.

A: Has Kevin been given a warning about his job performance? B: ______

A: Has Kevin been given a warning about his job performance? B: ______

a. I'll come back then.b. What do the cars deliver?c. Let's go look at them.

A: The new cars are being delivered tomorrow.B: ______

A: The new cars are being delivered tomorrow.B: ______

a. Who did you tell?b. Who told you?c. When will they tell us? 

A: We have been told to leave the building. B: ______

A: We have been told to leave the building. B: ______