PASSIVE TENSE -

Mind map

Most verb forms have an active and passive form.

We use a passive sentence when the object (passive) is more
important than the active subject (agent) , or the agent (performer of
the action) is unidentifiable.
To create a passive sentence:
1. Name the object (which becomes the subject of the sentence)
2. substitute the active verb with the verb to be in the same tense
3. add the past participle (3rd column) of the active verb.
4. if the agent /performer of the action is necessary or useful, put by then name
the agent
5. finish the sentence.
Example:
ACTIVE

PASSIVE

John
washes
every Monday.
The car
is washed
every Monday.

the car

Active verb: present

simple
Verb be present
simple +
Active verb past
participle

by John

ACTIVE
ACTIVE

Did he wash the car yesterday or early this

morning?

PASSIVE
PASSIVE

Was the car washed yesterday or early this

morning?
The children are washing the car.

The car is being washed by the children.

They have washed
washed the car.
The car

the car.

Someone

has been washed.

They will clean it at the

tomorrow.
It will be cleaned at the
tomorrow.

has

by them /someone is
deductive and adds no
useful information.

carwash
carwash

He was cleaning the car when it started

to rain.
The car was being cleaned when it
started to rain.
They had just cleaned the car when it started to
rain.
The car had just been cleaned when it started to
rain.