The Passive Voice

( By C. Alpízar N.)( By C. Alpízar N.)http://www.e-grammar.org/pas

sive-voice/

Characteristics

It is used in formal (academic, scientific) readings and writings.

It is rarely used in oral activities. It can be used, but it is not as common as in readings or formal writings.

Components1. a transitive verb (allows a direct object)2. a subject3. a direct object (or a “by” agent)4. the preposition “by” (not all the time)5. the verb “be” as an auxiliary6. a past participle

Simple Present Active

John writes articles for La Nación every day.

John = subjectwrites = transitive verbarticles = direct object

Simple Present Passive

Articles are written by John every day for La Nación.

Articles = new subjectare written = auxiliary “be” in present + past participleby John = “By agent” (not always necessary / present in a sentence)

Important Note

John writes articles = singular subject

Articles are written by John = plural subject.

On-line ExercisesSimple Present Passive

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?simple-present

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/active_passive/sentences_simple_pr

esent.htm

Simple Past Active

Mozart composed Idomeneo in 1773.

Mozart = subjectcomposed = transitive verbIdomeneo = direct object

Simple Past Passive

Idomeneo was composed by Mozart in 1773.

Idomeneo = new subjectwas composed = auxiliary “be” in past + past participleby Mozart = “By agent” (not always necessary / present in a sentence)

Important Note

Mozart composed many symphonies = singular subject

Many symphonies were composed by Mozart = plural subject

On-line ExercisesSimple Past Passive

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/gra

mmar/passive/exercises?simple-past

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/active_passive/sentences_simple_p

ast.htm

Present Continuous Active

Researchers are launching (*) a new rocket today.

Researchers = subjectare launching = transitive verba new rocket = direct object (*) initiate

Present Continuous Passive

A new rocket is being launched by researchers today.

A new rocket = new subjectis being launched = auxiliary “be” in present (is) + auxiliary “be” in present continuous (being) + past participleby researchers = “By agent” (not always necessary / present in a sentence)

Important Note

Researchers are launching a new rocket today. = plural subject

A new rocket is being launched by researchers today. = singular subject

On-line ExercisesPresent Continuous Passive

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/gra

mmar/passive/exercises?present-progressive

http://www.englishexercises.org/makea

game/viewgame.asp?id=4945

Present Perfect Active

Scientists have improved technology in the last century.

Scientists = subject have improved = transitive verb technology = direct object

Present Perfect Passive

Technology has been improved by Scientists in the last century.

Technology = new subject has been improved = auxiliary “has” + past participle of “be” (been) + another past participleby researchers = “By agent” (not always necessary / present in a sentence)

Important Note

Scientists have improved technology in the last century. = plural subject

Technology has been improved by Scientists in the last century. = singular subject

On-line ExercisesPresent Perfect Passive

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?present-

perfect

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=4946

Simple Future Active

People will drink Coca Cola in the 21st century.

People = subject will drink = transitive verb Coca Cola = direct object

Simple Future Passive

Coca Cola will be drunk by people in the 21st century.

Coca Cola = new subject will be drunk = auxiliary “will” + auxiliary-infinitive “be” + past participle the verb by people = “By agent” (not always necessary / present in a sentence)

Important Note

People will drink Coca Cola in the 21st century. = plural subject

Coca Cola will be drunk by people in the 21st century. = singular subject

Modals and Active Voice 1. Astronauts (subject) could launch (modal auxiliary + transitive verb)space stations (direct object)2. Humanity (subject) should start (modal auxiliary + transitive verb)space colonies (direct object) 3. Scientists (subject) will perfect (modal auxiliary + transitive verb)the necessary technology (direct object) soon.

Modals and Passive Voice 1. Space stations (new subject) could be launched (modal auxiliary + auxiliary “be” + past participle) by Astronauts (“by” agent)2. Space colonies (new subject) should be started (modal auxiliary + auxiliary “be” + past participle) by Humanity (“by” agent) 3. The necessary technology (new subject) will be perfected (modal auxiliary + auxiliary “be” + past participle) by Scientists(“by” agent)

On-line ExercisesModal Auxiliaries and Passive Voice

http://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Green%20Level/G8%20Modal

%20Passive.html

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?05

On-line ExercisesPassive Voice – Review

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/passiv.htm

http://www.myenglishgrammar.com/exercise-15-passive-voice.html

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=197

On-line ExercisesActive VS Passive Voice

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/active_passive/active_or_passive.htm

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/active-passive.html

http://www.englishgrammar.org/active-passive-voice-exercise-ii/