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 the objectbecomes the objectof 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 in

the 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.