Active/Passive

COMPARE THE SENTENCES
(What is the difference?)

Leonardo Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa.

vs

The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci.

The Police closed Highway 15 yesterday due to a serious accident.

vs


Highway 15 was closed yesterday due to a serious road accident.

Someone stole my laptop the other day.

Everybody knows Napa Valley for its excellent wines.

We invited John to speak at the conference.

The postman is going to deliver the letters.

The assistant is sending the documents right now.

My father was washing the dog when I got home.

​Focus on the subjects

Analyze the sentences

My laptop was stolen the other day.

Napa Valley is known for its excellent wines.

John was invited to speak at the conference.

The letters are going to be delivered.

The document is being sent right now.

The dog was being washed when I got home.

​


AGENT
VS
SUBJECT

My laptop was stolen the other day.

Napa Valley is known for its excellent wines.

John was invited to speak at the conference.

The letters are going to be delivered.

The document is being sent right now.

The dog was being washed when I got home.

Passive

Someone stole my laptop the other day.

Everybody knows Napa Valley for its excellent wines.

We invited John to speak at the conference.

The postman is going to deliver the letters.

The assistant is sending the documents right now.

My father was washing the dog when I got home.

Active

When to Use Passive Voice?

1. When you want to emphasize the object of the sentence. (the object of the sentence is more important than the subject of the sentence)

2. When you want to hide who the subject is. (The passive voice can be used when you don’t want to reveal the identity of the subject.)

3. When the subject is unknown (everybody, somebody...)

4. To make more polite or formal statements.

   The car wasn't cleaned (is more polite than) You didn't clean my car.

Using Agents in Passive

​Seven thousand people were killed by the earthquake.

Our house was designed by a famous architect.

The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci.

Jill was given a bar of chocolate.

(When the indirect object is the subject of the sentence.)

A bar of chocolate was given to Jill.

(When the direct object is the subject of the sentence)

John gave a bar of chocolate to Jill.

Sentences with 2 Objects