Voices (2) - 54

       Power of Passive Voice(2) -54                                                                                                                                                                                

             Passive voice  - Practical usage (2)

Prior information

Subject

Verb

Object

Past participle verb form

Transitive verb

Noun Phrase

To view the explanation of the above terms please click grammarmai                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                           

Most of the sentences we use in English are in active voice form, but in certain circumstances when the doer of the action is not known passive voice form is used .

 

The lion killed the deer (Lion is the subject = doer of the action, deer is the object = receiver of the action) –Active voice

Deer was killed by the lion ( Subject becomes object and object becomes subject) – Passive voice

NOTE: The verb killed in active voice is called active verb and the verb was killed in passive voice is called passive verb.

We use passive voice to give more importance to the object (sufferer of the action) -   by + Subject is used in passive voice.

In passive voice the verb is always in past participle form.

Only transitive verb can be used in passive voice ( She went to  Texas  last week) – This sentences can’t be changed into passive voice as the verb went  is intransitive)

More model sentences

Someone took my book – Active

My book was taken by someone. – Passive

She opened the door. – Active

The door was opened by her - Passive

Clara is driving a car. – Active

The car is being driven by Clara. – Passive

 The President has called the guards. – Active voice

The guards have been  called by the president. - Passive voice    

RULE TO CHANGE ACTIVE VERB TO PASSIVE VERB.

 We have taken give as a sample verb (base)

Tenses/Models + Base verb	Active voice	Passive voice
Simple Present	Give/gives	Am/is/are + given
Present continuous	Am /is/are + giving	Am/is/are + being + given
Present perfect	Have/has + given	Have/has + been + given
Past simple	took	Was/were + taken
Past continuous	Was/were + giving	Was/were + being + given
Past perfect	Had + taken	Had + been + given
Future simple	Will/shall + give	Will/shall + be + given
Can	Can give	Can + be + given
May/might	May/might give	May/might + be + given
Must	Must give	Must + be + given
Should etc.	Should give	Should + be + given

NOTE:

1. Continuous tense is also called a progressive tense.

2. With have/has/had, always use past participle verb even in active voice.

3.  Shall is less common when compared to will. Shall should be used only with the subject I and we.

I + am/was/have/have been/had/had been - Singular subject

We + are/were/have/have been/had/had been - Plural subject

You + are/were/have/have been/had/had been - Singular and plural subject

(He/she/it) + is/was/has/has been/had/had been - Singular subject

They + are/were/have/have been/had/ had been - Plural subject 

Most of the sentences begin with a subject. The subject may be a noun or a pronoun or a noun phrase etc. The list of nouns is endless while the pronouns list is limited. Visit grammarmail. com to view conversion of noun to pronoun.     

                                 

                           passive voice (2) 

General information or announcements

(The words in the bracket are not the part of this structure they are given to balance the sentence.)

The highway/carriageway will be closed (for traffic from next week.)

High performers will be awarded (by the CEO).

The flight  BS203 will be diverted to Sydney. (if the weather is rough)

I am given (a new assignment.)

I was advised (by the doctor to take reset for a week.)

They were provided (with dinner.)

The asylum seekers were sheltered (in a school.)

She was taken to New York (for medication.)

All the new customers will be given (a gift voucher.)

The ticker counter will be closed (at 5 p.m.)

We were not invited (to the party)

Mr. Smith will be invited (to the board meeting.)

The injured people  are being treated (at a country hospital.)

The floor is being cleaned, (Please wait for half an hour.)

Passive voice – negatives

(Underlined words are not the part of this structure they are given to balance the sentence)

Smoking is not permitted on board (Flight)

Drinking  is not  permitted in this security zone.

The children and the elders are not allowed on this (fun) ride.

Dinner will not be served on short haul flights.

Luggage more than 25 k.g. will not be permitted

In conversation – the answers are in passive voice 

(Underlined words are not the part of this structure they are given to balance the sentence)

Why are they standing?

They are asked to stand by the Security guards for checks.

Why is she crying?

She was hit by a flying ball.

Why are you waiting here?

I was asked to wait here by my friend.

Who permitted you  to leave early?

I was permitted by the Manager to leave early.

Why are you late?

I was held up due to the heavy rain.

In conversation – the questions (yes/no) are in passive voice

(Underlined words are not the part of this structure they are given to balance the sentence)

 Has the work been completed yet?

Yes  it was completed this morning.

Hasn’t the work been completed yet?

Sorry, It will be completed soon.

Were you provided with an accommodation at Alaska?

Yes, I was provided with a very good accommodation.

Weren’t you provided with an accommodation at Alaska?

No, I wasn’t , I stayed at Blue inn. 

Was the room cleaned?

Yes, It was cleaned in the morning

Wasn’t the room cleaned?

No, It wasn’t cleaned                                                                                                                 

End of the post