Passive voice

The active voice focuses on the doer of the action.

Subject Verb Object

The driver

hit a small child.

The passive voice focuses on the receiver of the action

OBJECT VERB SUBJECT

A small child

was hit by the driver.

PASSIVE VOICESunday kicked DavidDavid was kicked by Sunday.Paul smacked JackJack was smacked by PaulHolly pushed EstherEsther was pushed by HollyVincent chased BennyBenny was chased by Vincent

PASSIVE VOICESunday will kick DavidDavid will be kicked by Sunday.Paul was slapping JackJack was being slapped by PaulHolly is pushing EstherEsther is being pushed by HollyVincent is chasing BennyBenny is being chased by Vincent

We form the passive voice with the corresponding tense of the verb be + the past participle.

Active voice The workers paint the house.

Passive voice The house is painted (by the workers)

Simple present tense

Simple past tenseActive voice The workers painted the house.

Passive voice The house was painted (by the workers)

Simple future tenseActive voice The workers will paint the house.

Passive voice The house will be painted (by the workers)

Present continuous tense

Active voice The workers are painting the house.

Passive voice The house is being painted (by the workers)

Past continuous tense

Active voice The workers were painting the house.

Passive voice The house was being painted (by the workers)

Task 1Look at the pictures and phrases below. Complete the sentence with the phrases.

Small plants in the sea are

eaten by the fish

Small fish are

chased by big fish

Big fish are

caught by fishermen

Big fish are

sold to a restaurant

Big fish are

cooked in restaurant

Big fish are

eaten by us

Task 2Change the following sentences into the passive voice.

1. Amy bought the expensive dress.

2. Tom suggested the idea to his boss.

3.A famous Hong Kong writer wrote the book.

The expensive dress was bought by Amy.

The idea was suggested by Tom (to his boss).

The book was written by a famous Hong Kong writer.

4. Jenny will wash the car tomorrow.

5. Mrs Smith is putting the cake into the oven.

6. The worker will empty the rubbish later today.

The cake is being put into the oven by Mrs Smith.

The car will be washed ( by Jenny ) tomorrow.

The rubbish will be emptied by the worker later today.

7. We do not eat all the food we buy.

8. People in the west buy too much food.

9. People all over the world eat noodles.

Noodles are eaten all over the world.

Not all the food we buy is eaten.

Too much food is bought by the people in the west.

Task 3Look at William’s schedule below. It is now eight-thirty on Thursday evening. Complete the following sentences using the passive voice.

2. A sale was organized3. The clock was mended 4. The projects were checked5. William’s room is being painted6. William’s car will be washed7. The garage will be cleaned

Present perfect tenseActive voice The workers have painted the house.

Passive voice The house has been painted (by the workers)

Active voice The workers had painted the house.

Passive voice The house had been painted (by the workers)

Active voice The workers will have painted the house.

Passive voice The house will have been painted (by the workers)

Future perfect tense

Past perfect tense

Modals

We use modals in the passive voice to talk about possibility ( 可能性 )and responsibility ( 責任 ).

Tickets can be bought at the customer service centre.

Smoking should be banned in the shopping mall.

Task 4Look at the signs below. Change the following sentences into passive voice using the modal verbs in brackets. Match the pictures with the sentences below.

A. B.

D.

C.

E. F.

2

31

4

5

1. We will fine people who smoke here. (will)

People who smoke here will be fined.2. We will punish people who fight. (can)

People who fight here can be punished.3. We will catch people who drop litter. (will)

People who drop litter will be caught.4. We will arrest people who steal. (must)

People who steal must be arrested.5. We will not allow people to spit in school. (should)

People should not be allowed to spit in school.

Banana FactsThe first bananas 1._________________________ (grow) in Papua New Guinea. Now, bananas 2.____________________________________ (produce) in over 100 tropical countries all over the world. Green bananas 3.________________________ (use) for cooking and yellow bananas 4.______ ______________________ (eat) uncooked. Banana skin 5._________________________ (use) for making paper.

were grown

are produced

are used

are eatenis used

The banana tree 6.______________________ (introduce) to the east coast of Africa by Muslim Arabs. The first bananas 7.______________________________ (bring) to the Americans by Portuguese sailors in the 6th century AD. Hundreds of accidents 8._______________________ (cause) every year by people slipping on banana skins.

was introduced

were brought

were caused

YOU AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ENGLISH SOCIETY ARE PLANNING A FILM SHOW AT YOU SCHOOL. DISCUSS:

What film to show?When and where to show it?What group of students should take part?