passive voice

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: My bike was stolen.

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

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)

Simple Present

Active: Rita writes a letter.
Passive: A letter is written by Rita.

2) Simple Past

Active: Rita wrote a letter.
Passive: A letter was written by Rita.

3) Present Perfect

Active: Rita has written a letter.
Passive: A letter has been written by Rita.

4) Future I

Active: Rita will write a letter.
Passive: A letter will be written by Rita.

5) Modal auxiliaries

Active: Rita can write a letter.
Passive: A letter can be written by Rita.

6) Present Progressive

Active: Rita is writing a letter.
Passive: A letter is being written by Rita.

7) Past Progressive

Active: Rita was writing a letter.
Passive: A letter was being written by Rita.

Past Perfect

Active: Rita had written a letter.
Passive: A letter had been written by Rita.

9) Future II

Active: Rita will have written a letter.
Passive: A letter will have been written by Rita.

10) Conditional I

Active: Rita would write a letter.
Passive: A letter would be written by Rita.

11) Conditional III

Active: Rita would have written a letter.
Passive: A letter would have been written by Rita