Passive

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​Use and function

We use the passive voice to change the focus of the sentence.

ACTIVE : Someone stole my bike.

PASSIVE: My bike was stolen.

​Passive

​Active

​Use and function

• When we prefer not to mention who or what does the action

• The most important or most logical information is forgrounded

• In more formal or scientific writing

4^th Only be changes to make the tense. The past participle stays the same.

1^st The verb be + past participle

2^nd We start the sentence with the object
3^rd It is not always necessary to add who or what did the action. (by XY...)

How to form the passive

is/are + past participle
is/are being + past participle
was/were + past participle
was/were being + past participle
has/have been + past participle
had been + past participle
will be + past participle

Present simple
Present continuous
Past simple
Past continuous
Present perfect
Past perfect
Future simple

Identify agent and recipient.


Transform sentences from active into passive form.


How to forground information.