THE PASSIVETHE PASSIVE

Study the following

90% of the applicants passed the entrance exam.

The entrance exam was passed by over 90% of the applicants

When it is more important to draw our attention to the persons or things that receive the action When it is more important to draw our attention to the persons or things that receive the action

90% of the applicants

The entrance exam

Study the following

Somebody stole the Mona Lisa.

The Mona Lisa was stolen by somebody.

When the actor in the situation is not important. When the actor in the situation is not important.

Study the following

The police arrested the thief.

The thief was arrested by the police.

When the actor in the situation is obvious. When the actor in the situation is obvious.

Tom Cruise plays one of the cops.

One of the cops is played by Tom Cruise.

Active Passive

Present Simpleam/ are/ is +

past participle

Present Simple

to be + past participle (present)

subject

agentsubject

object

David Heyman produced Harry Potter.

Harry Potter was produced by D. Heyman.

Active Passive

Past Simplewas/ were +

past participle

Past Simple

to be + past participle(past simple)

subject object

agentsubject

• Somebody killed the cat.

• Martha usually gives John £100.

• They produce tomatoes here.

• The Romans founded this city.

The cat was killed.

£100 are usually given to John by Martha.

John is usually given £100 by Martha.

Tomatoes are produced here.

This city was founded by the Romans.

by somebody.

by them.

Present Spl am/is/are + PP Nice clothes are sold here.

Present Cont. am/is/are being + PP He is being taught now.

Past Simple was/were + PP Tom was bitten by a snake.

Past Cont. was/were being + PP

A story was being told.

Present Per have/has been + PP The doctor has been called.

WILL will be + PP He won’t be sent to prison.

GOING TO am/is/are going to be + PP

It is going to be sold.

Conditional would be + PP These books would be read if they were more interesting.

Modal modal + be + PP The doctor must be called at once.

• Tourists take many pictures of the tower.

• Does your mother help you?

• Someone is cleaning your room, Sir.

• They are painting a fresco at their school.

PRESENT SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS

Many pictures of the tower are taken by tourists

Are you helped by your mother?

Your room is being cleaned, Sir.

A fresco is being painted at their school.

• Burglars broke into her house.• • Did they send the letter?• • He was telling a story when I arrived.

• They told me a lie.

• They were interviewing her at 3 o’clock.

PAST SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS

Her house was broken into.

Was the letter sent?

A story was being told when I arrived.

I was told a lie. A lie was told to me.

She was being interviewed at 3 o’clock.

• They have eaten all the cookies.

• Has she typed the letter?

•

• Our teacher has made a terrible mistake.

• I have given you the money.

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

All the cookies have been eaten.

Has the letter been typed? by her?

by them

A terrible mistake has been made by our teacher.

You have been given the money.

The money has been given to you.

• Kate will buy our house.

• He will not repair her bike.• • You must fill in this form.• • You should leave the window open.

• The court might find him guilty.•

MODALS

Our house will be bought by Kate.

Her bike won’t be repaired. by him.

This form must be filled in. by you.

The window should be left open.

He might be found guilty by the court.

by you.

ACTIVE voice or PASSIVE voice?1. Italian ______________ (SPEAK) in this restaurant. 2. My father _________ (SPEAK) 3 foreign languages. 3. We ____________ (TAKE) our grandchildren to the zoo this afternoon.4. Their son had a seizure and ____________ (TAKE) right away to the hospital.5. They _______ (CALL) their grandparents last week.6. The tree caught fire and the firefighters __________ (CALL) immediately.7. They ________________ (DISCOVER) a new virus! 8. A new planet ___________________ (DISCOVER) in the solar system.

is spoken

speaksare taking

was taken

calledwere called

have discoveredhas been discovered