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
