Introduction
What is the difference between these two sentences?
(My friend painted this picture.
This picture was painted by my friend.)
The first sentence is in the active voice and the second sentence is in the passive voice.
Grammar 1
We use the passive voice when:
(1. When we want to place great emphasis upon who does or did something.)
For example:
(My mother wrote this book.)
> This book was written by my mother.)
(2. When we don't know who or what did the action.)
For example:
(Someone stole my car!)
> My car was stolen! (by someone))
(3. When we don't want to talk about who or what did something...
...because we want to avoid responsibility.)
For example:
(I broke all the dishes.
> All the dishes were broken. (by me!))
This is how the passive voice is formed for sentences in the simple present:
(Simple present: is / are + past participle)
For example:
(They grow coffee in Brazil.
> Coffee is grown in Brazil (by them).)
This is how the passive voice is formed for sentences in the simple past:
(Simple past: was / were + past participle)
For example:
(My grandfather built the house.
> The house was built (by my grandfather).)
Controlled Practice 1 (15 mins)
Change the following sentences into the passive voice to emphasize who does or did something.
For example:
(Sam repaired the boat. > The boat was repaired by Sam.)
The royal family often visits this restaurant.
The president drives these cars.
A famous person wore this jacket.
The airline canceled all flights.
I wrote this poem.
A specialist checked my ears.
Bears attacked the campers!
The police stopped the demonstration.
Change the following sentences into the passive voice to avoid talking about who is responsible:
For example:
(The secretary lost the files. > The files were lost. (by the secretary!))
The government raises taxes every year.
People make mistakes in the company every day.
Cosmetic companies use animals for testing.
Spies steal secret information from computers.
Jennifer lied to me!
Jason didn't pay the bills.
The children broke the window.
Laura lost your book.
Write these words down:
(teach — employ — cancel — steal — take — wear)
Change these words into the passive voice to complete the sentences:
Track 5.2-7
English is taught in elementary schools in Japan (by teachers).
The meeting __________ (by the manager).
Uniforms _________ in school (by the students).
These photos __________ (by my sister).
Many workers __________ (by this company).
Her bag __________ on the train (by somebody).
Language in Use 1
You've made some mistakes! Use the passive voice to avoid responsibility.
You deleted an important file from the computer.
You damaged the car.
You left the air conditioner on.
You lost the house keys.
You misplaced the office files.
You broke the picture frame.
You set off the smoke alarm.
You threw the memo out by mistake.
You delayed an important meeting.
Grammar 2
The passive voice for sentences in the present progressive is:
(Present progressive: is / are + being + past participle)
For example:
(My car is being repaired at the moment.)
The passive voice for sentences in the past progressive is:
(Past progressive: was / were + being + past participle)
For example:
(My car was being repaired yesterday.)
Controlled Practice 2
Change the following sentences into the passive voice:
For example:
(Students are taking the test. > The test is being taken.)
The actors were performing the play.
The play was being performed.
The tailor is making a new suit.
A new suit is being made.
The cleaners were washing the floor.
The floor was being washed.
The staff is serving lunch.
Lunch is being served.
Doctors were operating on Charlie.
Charlie was being operated on.
The manager is holding a meeting.
A meeting is being held.
The owner was training the dogs.
The dogs were being trained.
Language in Use 2
What do you think is happening in these places right now?
e.g. school > Lessons are being taught.
ticket office
(Tickets are being sold.)
supermarkets
(Food is being bought/sold.)
restaurant
(Dishes are being prepared/cooked/served.)
DVD rental shop
(DVDs are being rented.)
library
(Books are being read.)
zoo
(Animals are being fed.)
baseball stadium
(A game is being played.)
concert hall
(A concert is being held.)
department store
(Things are being bought.)