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PassivesFrequently Used Passive VerbsCity PassivesPersonal PassivesThe EnvironmentCrimeRelationshipswas founded (by/in)was built (by/in)was created (to)was supposed to (be)was born (on/in)was raised (by)was taught (to)was selected (to)is being affected byis being polluted byis being destroyed byis being stripped of itswas robbedwas attackedwas murderedwas stolenwas introduced (by)were/got marriedwere separatedwere forced toone was found outSubjects, Objects and AgentsWhat is the subject of this sentence?

Henry found the purse.

In an active sentence we think of the doer of the verb as the subject.

The thing or person affected by the verb (the purse) is the object.

Subjects, Objects and Agents cont.What is the subject of this sentence?

My purse was found by one of the cleaners.

In a passive sentence we think of the noun at the start of the sentence as the subject although it is not the doer of the verb. Funnily enough, it is also the object of the verb found.

We can think of the doer of the verb (in this case, the cleaners) as the agent.

Sometimes we want to remove the agent entirely, or just focus the sentence on a noun other than the agent.Why?Change of FocusWhat is the most important thing in the sentence below?

Past Simple:A man named Franco Varone won the national lottery.

How can we change to a more interesting focus?

Past Simple Passive:The national lottery was won by a man named Franco Varone.

Place PassivesWas founded byWas built byWas created toWas supposed toWas established inWas discovered inIs located in

Unknown AgentPast Simple Active:Someone stole my bike.

Why do we bother including a pronoun if we dont know who did the action?

How can we rephrase to eliminate vagueness?

Past Simple Passive:My bike was stolen.

Crime PassivesWas robbed byWas attacked byWas stolen byWas stabbed byWas shot byWas arrested forWas convicted ofWas charged with

Generalised AgentIt can be repetitive always saying people:

Present Simple Active:Many people use bicycles in this city.

If we are talking in general terms, many people is implied.

Present Simple Passive:Bicycles are commonly used in this city.

Environment PassivesThe environment is beingDestroyed byPolluted byReshaped byStripped ofAffected by

Obvious AgentSometimes its totally obvious who does the verb.

Past Perfect: The police had never arrested me before last night.

Police are the only people who can arrest you so you dont have to mention them.

Past Perfect Passive:I had never been arrested before last night.

Personal PassivesWas born in/onWas raised by/inWas taught to/byWas given the opportunity toWas told toWas disciplined byWas attacked forWas criticised forWas obsessed by/with

Unimportant AgentPast Simple Active:The receptionist I talked to on the phone (named Sarah) told me to bring my resume.

Do we really need to know who specifically gave you the information? How do we streamline this sentence?

Past Simple Passive:I was told to bring my resume today.

Business/Government PassivesWas hiredWas electedWas firedWas headhunted

Science/MedicineWas discoveredWas diagnosedWas givenWas prescribed

ProcessesIn processes, different machines or people do all the steps, so it can get repetitive to name the agent again and again.

Present Simple:Making sausages is a complicated process. First, a machine processes the meat, then another machine stuffs the meat into skins, after which another machine ties off the skin, before yet another machine packages the finished sausages.

Present Simple Passive:Making sausages is a complicated process. The meat is first processed, then stuffed into skins and tied off, before the finished sausages are finally packaged.

Art/Design PassivesWas writtenWas releasedWas publishedWas madeWas designedWas consideredWas developed

ImpersonalitySometimes to avoid taking responsibility for actions, we may use a passive.

Present Perfect Active: I have decided to reduce your salaries by 10%.

How would you rephrase this sentence to remove yourself from the responsibility of making the decision?

Present Perfect Passive:Unfortunately, due to the recession, your salaries will be reduced by 10%.

Verbs with two objectsVerbs with two objects (direct and indirect)

Past Simple Active:That man handed me a note.

Who was the note handed to? > Indirect ObjectWhat was handed to you? > Direct Object

Past Simple Passive:I was handed a note by that man. > Indirect PassiveA note was handed to me by that man. > Direct Passive

Verbs which cant be passiveMost verbs with an object (transitive verbs) can be made passive (kick, kiss, kill, catch, etc.)

However, a few transitive verbs may not be used in the passive (become, fit, get, have, lack, let, like, resemble, suit)

Verbs with no object (intransitive) cannot be passive (fall, happened, agree, belong, depend, exist, collapse, inquire, laugh, rise, etc.)

To change the focus of a sentence.Sowhy do we use the passive?