PASSIVE VOICE

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Use of Passive

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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.

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          Example: My bike was stolen.

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In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.

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Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows:

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         Example: A mistake was made.

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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.).

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Form of Passive

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

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         Example: A letter was written.

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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)

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          Present                    Past 1                      Past 2

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