The passive - Intermediate
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This document discusses the passive voice in English. It explains that the passive is used when the focus is on the object rather than the subject of the sentence. It is often used when the subject or agent performing the action is unknown or unimportant. The document provides examples of active and passive sentences and outlines the formation of the passive voice in various tenses, including using "be" plus the past participle. It notes some common uses of the passive voice, such as in formal writing and when discussing scientific processes.
The passive - Intermediate
- 2. THE PASSIVE: USAGE You can often say things in two ways, in the active or the passive. Picasso painted Gernika (active) Gernika was painted by Picasso (passive)
- 3. THE PASSIVE: USAGE In the active sentence, the focus is on the person (Picasso) In the passive, the focus is on the painting (Gernika) The passive is often used when you don’t know or it is not important who does or did the action My cart was stolen last night when I was sleeping
- 4. THE PASSIVE If you want to say who did the action (the agent) use ‘by’ The road has been blocked by the police Generally, the agent is not mentioned
- 5. THE PASSIVE We often use the passive to talk about processes (e.g., scientific processes) Then the water is heated to 100 degrees …. We often use the passive in formal writing (e.g., newspaper reports) Many buildings have been damaged by the earthquake
- 6. THE PASSIVE: FORM To form the passive: be + past participle Present simple A lot of films are shot on location Present continuous My car is being repaired today Past simple Jim was arrested last month Past Continuous She died when the film was being made Present Perfect My car has been stolen
- 7. ACTIVE VS PASSIVE Present simple They shoot a lot of films on location A lot of films are shot on location Present continuous They are repairing my car today My car is being repaired today Past simple They arrested Jim last month Jim was arrested last month Past continuous She died when they were making the film She died when the film was being made Present perfect They have stolen my car My car has been stolen
- 8. THE PASSIVE: FORM To form the passive: be + past participle Past Perfect We saw that the window had been broken Future (will/going to) The prisoner will be released next month The verdict is going to be given tomorrow Infinitive with to People used to be imprisoned for stealing bread Infinitive without to You can be fined for double-parking Gerund He paid a fine to avoid being sent to jail
- 9. ACTIVE VS PASSIVE Past Perfect We saw that they had broken the window We saw that the window had been broken Future (will/going to) They will release the prisoner next month The prisoner will be released next month They are going to give the verdict tomorrow The verdict is going to be given tomorrow Infinitive with to They used to imprison people for stealing