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Passive Voice Usage in English

This document discusses the passive voice and its uses. It explains how passives are formed using forms of the verb "to be" and the past participle. It also notes some exceptions where the verb "to be" is omitted. It discusses the use of "by" and "with" in passive constructions and how passives are expressed when verbs have two objects. It introduces the impersonal passive and causative structures using "to have/get something done." Finally, it outlines some common uses of the passive voice, including when the agent is obvious or not important, to create formality, or to make a statement more impersonal.

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262 views1 page

Passive Voice Usage in English

This document discusses the passive voice and its uses. It explains how passives are formed using forms of the verb "to be" and the past participle. It also notes some exceptions where the verb "to be" is omitted. It discusses the use of "by" and "with" in passive constructions and how passives are expressed when verbs have two objects. It introduces the impersonal passive and causative structures using "to have/get something done." Finally, it outlines some common uses of the passive voice, including when the agent is obvious or not important, to create formality, or to make a statement more impersonal.

Uploaded by

MarianicoElCorto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Passive Voice

1 Passives are generally formed with the verb 'to be' in the appropriate tense and the past participle
Credit cards are accepted in most shops. (present simple)
Your meal is being prepared Madam. (present continuous)
Peace talks were held in the capital yesterday. (past simple)
Rescue plans were being drawn up when the bid fell through. (past continuous)
A cheque has been paid into your account. (present perfect)
Renovation work had been undertaken on the property. (past perfect)
Accommodation will be arranged before you arrive. (future simple)
We will have been married for 20 years next week. (future perfect)
We expect to be relocated towards the end of the year. (infinitive)
However, you will often come across examples of the passive where the verb 'to be' is omitted,
particularly in newspaper headlines. Try that in your articles! Prime Minister sacked!
2 'By' and 'with' are used in passive constructions with verbs like 'teach', 'fill', 'trap' etc:
His English teacher taught him basic grammar.
He was taught basic grammar by his teacher.
The bottle was filled with water.
3 Where verbs have two objects the passive can be expressed as follows:
I was given a promise that I'd be contacted by your representative.
A promise was given to me by your representative that I'd be contacted.
4 Impersonal passive Try that in your reports!
It is believed that cosmetic surgeons can perform miracles.
It is known that top models earn a lot of money.
He is considered to be one of the best football players.
Young people are said not to care about the elderly.
5 You should also be aware of causative structures 'to have/get something done' ('get' is more
informal and more frequent in American English).
I'm getting my computer repaired this afternoon.
We're having an extension built at the end of our house.
He had his hair shaved yesterday.
Im going to get my belly bottom pierced tomorrow.
USES
1 When the agent is obvious, people in general or not important.
Building work being carried out.
This product should not be re-frozen.
The coffee beans are picked and sent to the processing plant.
2 To create formality. Compare the following:
It is hoped that efficiency will improve with the new working practices. We
hope the new working practices will improve efficiency.
3 When the agent wishes to avoid being seen as responsible for an action and thus to make a
statement impersonal. Compare the following:
The company will be signing a multi-million-pound contract next year.
Unfortunately, wages will be frozen

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