PASSIVE VOICE

FORMING THE PASSIVE VOICE

We form the passive with the verb TO BE and the PAST PARTICIPLE of the main verb.

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to be + past participle(PP)e.g.The house is cleaned every day.

Past partisiple

verb + ed (opened)

the 3rd form of irregular verb (eaten)

PASSIVE VOICE WITH INFINITIVES

The infinitive passive voice is used after modal verbs and other most verbs normally followed by an infinitive.

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EXAMPLESYou have to be tested on your English grammar.John might be promoted next year.She wants to be invited to the party.I expect to be surprised on my birthday.You may be disappointed.

PRACTICE

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John collects money. - Anna opened the window. - We have done our homework. - I will ask a question. - He can cut out the picture. - The sheep ate a lot. - We do not clean our rooms. - William will not repair the car. - Did Sue draw this circle? - Could you feed the dog? - 

When to use the passive voice?

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a) when the person who carries out the action is unknown or unimportant.Mrs Archer's ring WAS STOLEN from her house last night.b) when we want to make statement more polite.My new blouse is ruined (more polite than saying, "you've ruined my new blouse")NOTE:THE PASSIVE IS USED MORE OFTEN IN WRITTEN ENGLISH THAN IN SPOKEN ENGLISH.

TENSES

SIMPLE TENSES

Simple present

The house is cleaned every day.

Simple past

The house was cleaned yesterday.

PROGRESSIVE TENSES

Present continuous

The house is being cleaned at the moment.

Past continuous

The house was being cleaned last week.

PERFECT TENSES

Present perfect

The house has been cleaned since you left.

Past perfect

The house had been cleaned before they arrived.

FUTURE

Future

The house will be cleaned next week.

Future continuous

The house will be being cleaned tomorrow.

Present conditional

The house would be cleaned if they had visitors.

Past conditional

The house would have been cleaned if it had been dirty.

MODALS

MODAL + BE + PP

The reports may be written

PASSIVE VOICE WITH GERUNDS

Gerunds are used after prepositions and verbs normally followed by a gerund.

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EXAMPLESI remember being taught to drive.The children are excited about being taken to the zoo.The children are excited to be taken to the zoo.Most film stars hate being interviewed.Most film stars hate to be interviewed.Poodles like to be pampered.Poodles like being pampered.