2. The passive is used for the following reasons:
- To talk about actions, events and processes
when the action, event or process is seen
more important than the agent. This is often
the case of scientific writing or formal letters.
3. The “doer” of an acttion is not known.
Is obvious who the agent is or it is not
important at the time of speaking.
We don´t want to say who the agent is.
CAE Book
4. The action is emphasised, but the sentence
still mentions who is or was responsible for it
- The world record for the men’s 200 metres was broken
by Usain Bolt in 2009
Who is or was responsible for the action is
not important or not known.
-Jonathan’sapartment was broken into twice last year
The action is emphasised, but the sentence
still mentions what was responsible for it
- over thousand people have been affected by the recent
flooding
OP Book
5. What is or was responsible for the action is
not important or not known.
- the front of the building has been severely damaged
Who or what is or was responsible for the
action is obvious so does not need to be
mentioned
- Julio’s knee is beeing operated on tomorrow at the
city hospital
6. It is formed with the verb be and past participle. For modals it is
formed whit the modal + be + past participle.
Present simple It is made
Present continuous It is being made
Past simple it was made
Past continuous It was being made
Present perfect It has been made
Past perfect It had been made
Future (will) It will be made
Future perfect It will have been made
Going to It is going to be made
Modals It must have been made
Passive gerund Emily hates being
