THE PASSIVE VOICE

CAN IT BE DONE EASILY OR IS IT JUST ANOTHER HEADACHE?

WHY THE PASIVE VOICE?

Because sometimes we dont know who the doer of the
action is.
Example: This picture was taken over 150 years ago.

Other times we dont want to mention the doer.

Example: Taxes will be raised right after the election.

And some other times who does the action is completely

irrelevant or obvious.
Example: Potatoes are sold at a very good price at the corner shop.

HOW DO WE DO IT?
The object (direct or indirect) of the active becomes the
subject of the passive

The subject of the active sentence becomes the agent of the

passive.

The verb changes into be in the same form as the active +

the past participle.

The rest of elements do not change

AND THE AGENT?

Most times it is not needed because, as we saw before, who
did the action is not important or we dont know it, or its
obvious or we simply dont want to mention it.
This bench has been painted recently (by a painter doesnt make
sense).

Sometimes it is necessary if it is a NEW piece of information

Mona Lisa was painted in 1503 by Leonado da Vinci.

HOW DO WE DO IT? (AN EXAMPLE)

Look at this active sentence:
John gave Ann some beautiful flowers for her birthday.

If we follow the rules of the passive voice:

Ann was given some beautiful flowers for her birthday. (by John is not
necessary)
Some beautiful flowers were given to Ann. (by John is not necessary)

Did you notice the use of TO in the second sentence?

And the change of agreement?

IS THAT EVERYTHING WE CAN DO? (PART

1)
There are some verbs like think, believe, allege, say, report,
claim, etc. that can be used in two different ways when in the
passive voice.

Consider this sentence:

People consider that Colin is 100 years old.

We dont know who considers him so old, thats why we need

a passive sentence:
It is said that Colin is 100 years old.

IS THAT EVERYTHING WE CAN DO? (PART

2)
But that is not the most common way to say it in English. We
prefer this form:
People consider that Colin is 100 years old.
Colin is considered to be 100 years old. (by people is not necessary)

Now, pay attention to the tense:

People considered that Colin was 100 years old
Colin was considered to have been 100 years old. (by people is not
necessary)

A FINAL EXAMPLE
Consider this sentence:
Someone will post the exam grades before someone gives you holidays.

Now, reorder the words so that you make a good passive sentence:
Someo
ne
The
exam
grades

will
post
will be
posted

the
exam
grades

before

before

you

someo
ne
are
given

gives

you

holiday
s

By
someon
e

holiday
s

AND THATS IT!

Now, for some practice lets take our books.