What happened?

Miss Leung took Brian’s book.

Brian’s book was taken by Miss Leung.

DOER

DOER

(Subject)

(Object)

What happened?

Miss Leung took Brian’s book.

Brian’s book was taken by Miss Leung.

DOER

DOER

(Subject)

(Object)(Subject)

Emphasis – more IMPORTANTRECEIVER

What happened?

Miss Leung took Brian’s book.

Brian’s book was taken by Miss Leung.

DOER

(Subject)

(Object)(Subject)

DOERRECEIVER

What happened?

Miss Leung took Brian’s book.

Brian’s book was taken by Miss Leung.

DOER

(Subject)

(Subject)

RECEIVER DOER

Passive VoicePassive VoiceWhat are you going to learn?

1. When to Use Passive Voice

2. Structure of Passive Verbs

3. Passive Verbs in Tenses

1. When Do We Use Passive Voice?

A. When the RECEIVER of an action is the EMPHASIS

B. When it is NOT NECESSARY to mention the DOER of an action

C. When the DOER of an action is NOT KNOWN

1.A. When the RECEIVER of the action is the EMPHASIS

Example:

Look! A mermaid is found by the fishermen!

What is the main message of the sentence?

As the emphasis is on the mermaid, we start the sentence with ‘A mermaid’ to attract readers’ attention to the receiver of the action.

Now let’s watch a video.

Example:

This table is reserved for Hong Kong people.

As the emphasis is on the table, we start the sentence with ‘This table’ to attract readers’ attention to the receiver of the action.

1.B. When it is NOT NECESSARY to mention the DOER of the action

Example:

I was born in August.

Is it necessary to mention WHO gave birth to you?

(Who else would it be if not your mom??!!)

As the doer of the action is understood, we can omit it and start the sentence with the receiver of the action, i.e.‘I’.

1.C. When the DOER is NOT KNOWN

Example:

Miss Leung’s diamond ring was stolen!!

Who stole the ring?

We do not know who stole the diamond ring.

So, the doer is not known. Instead of starting the sentence with ‘somebody’, i.e., ‘Somebody stole Miss Leung’s diamond ring’, we can omit the doer of the action and start the sentence with the receiver of the action, i.e., ‘Miss Leung’s diamond ring’.

2. Structure of Passive Verbs

Syntactic Structure

ACTIVE ----------------------- PASSIVE

e.g. eats ----------------------- is eaten

i.e. verb ----------------------- be + p.p.

Note: “be” is changed according to the tense of the sentence the number (singular/plural) of the subject of the

sentence.

3. Passive Verbs in Tenses

3.1 Present Tenses

Tenses Active Passive

Present - Simple -eats -is eaten

- Continuous -is eating -is being eaten

- Perfect -has eaten -has been eaten

3.2 Past TensesNow, try to complete the following table:

Tenses Active Passive

Past - Simple -ate

- Continuous -was eating

- Perfect -had eaten

ANSWERS

Tenses Active Passive

Past - Simple -ate -was eaten

- Continuous -was eating -was being eaten

- Perfect -had eaten -had been eaten

3.3 Future TensesPlease complete the following table:

Tense Active Passive

Future - Simple -will eat

ANSWERS

Tense Active Passive

Future - Simple -will eat -will be eaten

Practice

Now, rewrite the sentences below by using passive voice.

1. The janitor cleans our classroom every day.

2. Japan exported millions of cars last year.

3. Mr. Chan will feed his dog on canned food.

ANSWERS

1. Our classroom is cleaned (by the janitor) every day.

2. Millions of cars were exported from Japan last year.

3. Mr. Chan’s dog will be fed on canned food.

Activity

What is Different?

Players

Each group chooses 1 member as the player.

All players come to the front of the room and look carefully around the room.

Now, would the players leave the room and stay outside for a moment?

Action!

Each group takes turn to make a change to objects in the room.

e.g. clean the blackboard,

close the window….

Welcome Back!

Now, let’s invite the players to come back and try to find out what have been changed.

What is different?

Dear players,8 changes have been made to objects in the room.Check what have been changed.Report to the class in complete passive voice sentences. e.g. The door has been closed.1 mark for each correct observation.

Time Limit: 8 mins

Relevant Web-Sites

http://www.english4us.com

http://www.telenex.hku.hk

You HAVE BEEN TAUGHT:

when to use passive voice

Congratulations!!

You HAVE BEEN TAUGHT:

when to use passive voice

how to form passive verbs

Give yourselves a BIG BIG HAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Passive or ACTIVE??????)