Easy use of english

PRESENT SIMPLE PASISVE

CONCEPT

Use of Passive

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:The house was painted last week.

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.).

Form of Passive

Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)

Example: A letter was written.

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)

USES

In the present, the passive voice uses the verbs is and are + past participle of the main verb.

The passive voice present is often used to describe:

• Processes
  First the apples are picked, then they are cleaned, and finally they’re packed and shipped to the market.

• General thoughts, opinions, and beliefsNew York is considered the most diverse city in the U.S.

In the active voice the subject does the acction:

         The gardener waters the flowers every evening.
         Subject            verb    object

In passive voice the subjectu of the sentence recives the acction

          The flowers are watered by the gardener every evening

EXAMPLES

Forming Simple Present Passive

Affirmative Form

Object + am / is / are + verb (past participle)

1.     Mr Jones watches films.Films are watched.

2.     The people speak English.English is spoken.

3.     He reads comics.Comics are read.

4.     We play volleyball.
Volleyball is played.

5.     They sing the song.The song is sung.

6.     I take photos.Photos are taken.

7.     She does the housework.The housework is done.

8.     The policemen help the children.The children are helped.

9.     He writes poems.Poems are written.

10. Mother waters the flowers.The flowers are watered.

VIDEOS 4U

EXERSISES

Exercise on Passive with Simple Present Level 2

Make correct passive phrases. Mind the tenses in brackets.

1.    posters / to make (Simple Present)

2.    a prize / to win (Simple Past)

3.    English / to speak (Simple Present)

4.    skateboards / to ride (Simple Past)

5.    volleyball / to play (Simple Past)

Rewrite the sentences in Active voice.

1.    The club was founded by Ron and Peggy.
.

2.    The bag was packed by his mother.
.

3.    The child was hit by a car.
.

4.    This book was written by an Irishman.
.

5.    The president was elected by the people.
.

Are the sentences written in Active or Passive voice?

1.    They often read e-mails.

 Active voice

 Passive voice

2.    A letter was written.

 Active voice

 Passive voice

3.    They are listening to their music.

 Active voice

 Passive voice

4.    Steven likes to play baseball.

 Active voice

 Passive voice

5.    He lost his keys yesterday.

 Active voice

 Passive voice