PASSIVE VOICE
FORMING THE PASSIVE VOICE
We form the passive with the verb TO BE and the PAST PARTICIPLE of the main verb.
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.
PRACTICE
When to use the passive voice?
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.