Use of Passive
Passive transformation is considered to be only a stylistic variation without any change in meaning. We use passive voice when we want to focus on the action. So, when using passive voice, it is not important who or what (doer) is performing the action. Example: My picture was stolen. As you can see in the example above (passive voice), the focus is on the action (was stolen). We do not know, however who did it. |
Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows:
Example: A mistake was made.
In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.).
Example: A mistake was made.
In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.).
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Passive voice formation
The passive forms of a verb are created by combining a form of the "to be verb" with the past participle of the main verb. Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle |
When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:
- the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence
- the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle)
- the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is dropped)
Passive Sentences with Two Objects
Rewriting an active sentence with two objects in passive voice means that one of the two objects becomes the subject, the other one remains an object. Which object to transform into a subject depends on what you want to put the focus on.
Rewriting an active sentence with two objects in passive voice means that one of the two objects becomes the subject, the other one remains an object. Which object to transform into a subject depends on what you want to put the focus on.
As you can see in the examples, adding by Sarah does not sound very elegant. That’s why it is usually dropped.
Only transitive verbs (those that take objects) can be transformed into passive constructions. Furthermore, active sentences containing certain verbs cannot be transformed into passive structures. To have is the most important of these verbs. We can say "He has a new car," but we cannot say "A new car is had by him." We can say "Josefina lacked finesse," but we cannot say "Finesse was lacked." Here is a brief list of such verbs*: resemble, look like, equal, agree with, comprise, mean, contain, hold, comprise, lack, suit, fit, become.
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Exercises on Passive (Form)
Exercises on Passive (Active → Passive)
- Exercise on Passive with Simple Present
- Exercise on Passive with Simple Past
- Exercise on Passive with Present Perfect
- Exercise on Passive with Future
Exercises on Passive (Active → Passive)