The document defines the passive voice and compares it to the active voice. The passive voice is used when the object of the action is more important than the subject performing it. The passive is formed with the auxiliary "be" and the past participle of the main verb. It then provides examples of sentences changed from active to passive voice in different tenses. The document concludes by discussing appropriate uses of the passive voice, such as when the subject/actor is unknown or to emphasize the object of the action.

1. CHIMBORAZO NATIONAL
UNIVERSITY
INSTITUTO DE POSGRADO
MAESTRÍA EN LINGÜÍSTICA APLICADA AL
APRENDIZAJE DEL INGLÉS
CALL
Riobamba - 2013

2. DEFINING THE PASSIVE VOICE
PISSIVE VOICE
The object take place of the subject, and we use the auxiliary be (am
,is, are together with the past participle of the main verb. Example
The meal is prepared by Mary
ACTIVE VOICE
Normally, the subject is the performer of the action expressed by the
verb. Example:
Subject Verb Object
Mary prepares the meal
The passive voice is used when focusing on the person or thing
affected by an action

3. The passive voice is used when focusing on the person or
thing affected by an action.
•The Passive is formed: Passive Subject To Be Past Particple
•It is often used in business and in other areas where the
object of the action is more important than those who
perform the action. For Example: We have produced over 20
different models in the past two years. Changes to: Over 20
different models have been produced in the past two years.
•If the agent (the performer of the action) is important, use
"by" For Example: Tim Wilson wrote "The Flight to Brunnswick" in
1987. Changes to:"The Flight to Brunnswick" was written in 1987
by Tim Wilson.
•Only verbs that take an object can be used in the passive.

4. The following chart includes sentences changed from the
active to the passive in the principal tenses:
Active Passive
Time
Referenc
e
They make bread in the
oven.
The bred is made in the oven. Present Simple
Susan is cooking dinner. Dinner is being cooked by Susan
Present
Continuo
us
James Joyce wrote
"Dubliners".
"Dubliners" was written by James
Joyces.
Past Simple
They were painting the
house when I
arrived.
The house was being painted
when I arrived.
Past
Continuo
us
They have produced
over 20 models in
the past two years.
Over 20 models have been
produced in the past two
years.
Present
Perfect
They are going to build
a new factory in
Portland.
A new factory is going to be built
in Portland.
Future
Intention
with
Going to
I will finish it tomorrow. It will be finished tomorrow. Future Simple

5. So when is it OK to use the passive?
To emphasize an object:
X number of votes are required to pass
the bill.
To de-emphasize an unknown subject/actor.
Over 120 different contaminants have been
dumped into the river.

6. Active and Passive Voice
Active Voice
In sentences written in active voice, the subject performs the action expressed in
the verb; the subject acts.

7. Passive Voice
In sentences written in passive voice, the subject receives the action
expressed in the verb; the subject is acted upon. The agent
performing the action may appear in a "by the . . ." phrase or may be
omitted.

8. DEFINING THE PASSIVE
VOICE

9. •PASSIVE VOICE
The object takes place of the subject, and we use the
auxiliary be (am, is, are together with the past participle of
the main verb. Example:
The meal is prepared by Mary.
•ACTIVE VOICE
Normally, the subject is the performer of the action
expressed by the verb. Example:
Subject Verb Object
Mary prepares the meal

10. PASSIVE ACTIVE
•Your bicycle has been
damaget.
(agent omitted)
•I have damaget your bicycle
•Action on the bill is being
considered by the committes
•The committee is considering
action on the bill

11. CHANGING PASSIVE TO ACTIVE
If you want to change a passive-voice sentence to
active voice, find the agent in a "by the..." phrase, or
consider carefully who or what is performing the action
expressed in the verb. Make that agent the subject of
the sentence, and change the verb accordingly.
Sometimes you will need to infer the agent from the
surrounding sentences which provide context.

12. PASSIVE VOICE AGENT CHANGET TO ACTIVE
VOICE
The book is being read by
most of the class
Most of the class Most of the class is reading
the blok
by?
Mistakes were made
Agent not
specified; most
likely agents such
as “we”
We made mistakes

13. ACTIVE PASSIVE
The dispatcher is notifying police that
three prisoners have escaped
Police are being notified that three
prisioners have escaped
El remitente está notificando a la
policía que tres personas han
escapado
La policía está siendo notificando que
tres personas han escapado

14. PASSIVE FORM
• Ballet is danced in
theaters.
• Is ballet danced in
theaters?
ACTIVE FORM
• They dance ballet in
theaters.
SIMPLE PRESENT

15. PRESENT CONTINUOUS
ACTIVE FORM
• They are dancing
ballet this week.
PASSIVE FORM
• Ballet is being danced
this week.
• Is ballet being danced
this week?

16. PRESENT PERFECT
ACTIVE FORM
• They have danced
ballet for many years
PASSIVE FORM
• Ballet has been
danced for many
years.
• Has bllet been danced
for many years?

17. SIMPLE PAST
ACTIVE FORM
• They danced ballet last
year.
PASSIVE FORM
• Ballet was danced last
year.
• Was Ballet danced last
year?

18. PAST CONTINUOUS
ACTIVE FORM
• They were dancing
ballet when I started
school.
PASSIVE FORM
• Ballet was being
danced when I started
school.
• Was ballet being
danced when I started
school?

19. FUTURE
ACTIVE FORM
• They will dance ballet
next year.
• They are going to
dance ballet next year.
PASSIVE FORM
• Ballet will be dance
next year
• Will be ballet danced
next year?
• Ballet is going to be
danced next year.
• Is ballet going to be
danced next year?

20. FUTURE
ACTIVE FORM
• They will dance ballet
next year.
• They are going to
dance ballet next year.
PASSIVE FORM
• Ballet will be dance
next year
• Will be ballet danced
next year?
• Ballet is going to be
danced next year.
• Is ballet going to be
danced next year?