1. THE PASSIVE
 USE OF PASSIVE
THE PASSIVE VOICE IS USED WHEN THE FOCUS IS ON THE
ACTION. IT IS NOT IMPORTANT OR NOT KNOWN, HOWEVER, WHO
OR WHAT IS PERFORMING THE ACTION.
Example: My bike was stolen. ( We don’t know who did it)
SOMETIMES A STATEMENT IN PASSIVE IS MORE POLITE THAN
ACTIVE VOICE, AS THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLE SHOWS:
Example: A mistake was made. (I focus on the fact that a mistake was
made, but I do not blame anyone)

2. HOW TO TRANSFORM
SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT
OBJECT + VERB + SUBJECT
- The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of
the passive.

3. FORM OF PASSIVE
PRESENT SIMPLE PASSIVE
SUBJECT + AM / IS / ARE + PAST PARTICIPLE
Active : Mary writes letters
Passive: Letters are written by Mary
Active: They don’t speak English in France
Passive : English isn’t spoken in France (by them)
-When we want to say who does the action, we add by + the subject.
Sometimes it can be omitted.

4. PAST SIMPLE PASSIVE
Active:
Passive:
Active :
Passive:
SUBJECT + WAS /WERE + PAST PARTICIPLE
Mary wrote a letter
A letter was written by Mary
The President welcomed the visitors
The visitors were welcomed by the President

6. EXERCISE 1
Read the text. Identify the passive sentences.
AN ARTIST’S BRIGHT FUTURE
Sarah is a talented artist. She was taught by her
father, but she has developed her own style. Her
work is gaining attention in the art world, and one
of her oil paintings was sold for over five hundred
dollars. It won’t surprise me if one day her work
is shown in art museums around the world.

7. EXERCISE 2
1.Someone broke my cup.
2.English people drink a lot of tea.
3.Mary cleans the office every day.
4.Steve fixed the computer yesterday.
5.Students speak English here.
6.John doesn’t write articles.
7.They built that house.
8.Somebody ate all the cakes.
9.My brother washes the car every Friday.
10.She didn’t invite Sharon to the party.