Passive Voice

When the agent is unknown –Spanish "SE" : Se venden pisos: Flats are sold –Spanish "Ellos/as" omitted : Le dieron un beso a Pepita: Pepita was given a kiss When do we use it?

To make the object of the active verb more important America was discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus When do we use it?

Subject Subject: Person or object that suffered/enjoyed the results of an action. to be The verb "to be" in the tense the action occurred. Past Participle The Past Participle of the verb that represents the action itself. complements Whatever complements that verb needs. by agent In a few special cases we can also use by + the agent. Structure of the sentence

Structure of the verb TENSESEXAMPLES Present SimplePigs are often used to find truffles Present ContinuousMy house is being redecorated at the moment Present PerfectI have never been given flowers on my birthday Past SimpleThis picture was painted by Picasso Past ContinuousWhen I saw him he was being followed by the police Past PerfectShe was angry because she had already been told three times Future SimpleWhen you get there everything will be finished Going to - FutureThey are not going to be easily convinced Conditional SimpleYou would be punished if they found out Conditional PerfectIf you hadn’t told them would I have been invited?

BE to BE gives us the tense of the action Past Participle the principal verb is always in Past Participle THE PASSIVE VERB to BE (in the active tense) + Past Participle (main verb) ACTIVEPASSIVE She wants an ice-creamAn ice-cream is wanted He sent a letterA letter was sent We will buy a new car next weekA new car will be bought They have been cutting the grassThe grass has been being cut

The passive sentence ACTIVE VOICE Active Subject Active Verb Direct Object Robertgave a coin by Passive Verb Passive Subject Agent PASSIVE VOICE was givenby

The passive sentence ACTIVE VOICE Active Subject Active Verb Direct Object Indirect Object Robertgavea coinTomto by Direct Object Passive Verb Passive Subject Agent PASSIVE VOICE was givenby

this house 1/They built this house in 1466 This house was built 2/ This house was built in 1466 French 1/ My classmates speak French French is spoken 2/ French is spoken by my classmates your life 1/ This book will change your life Your life will be changed 2/ Your life will be changed by this book Examples

the grass 1/ They have cut the grass The grass has been cut 2/ The grass has been cut me 1/ My mother is going to give me a present I am going to be given 2/ I am going to be given a present by my mother to him 1/ Susan wrote an to him was written 1/ He was written an by Susan Examples

your question 1/ They can’t answer your question Your question can’t be answered 2/ Your question can’t be answered the children 1/ They shouldn’t allow the children to do these things The children shouldn’t be allowed 2/ The children shouldn’t be allowed to do these things 1/ Someone must tell him if we want him to know 2/ He must be told 2/ He must be told if we want him to know More examples

something 4 HAVE/ GET something done: Arranging for or paying for somebody to do something for you. (Get is more informal). his hair He had his hair cut her carpet She got her carpet cleaned our car We have had our car mended their book They had got their book translated More passive stuff HAVE + Object + Past Participle

4 Verbs like: Believe, Think, Consider, Say, Report, Know, Expect, Feel, Understand, Find 1.Introductory IT is used is said he started the fire It is said that he started the fire is thought she doesn't live in London It is thought that she doesn't live in London was known the King is coming tomorrow It was known that the King is coming tomorrow More passive stuff IT + passive verb + complete subordinate sentence without changes

4 Verbs like: Believe, Think, Consider, Say, Report, Know, Expect, Feel, Understand, Find is said he started the fire It is said that he started the fire (action in the Past) He is said to have started the fire He is said to have started the fire (Infinitive Perfect) is thought she doesn't live in London It is thought that she doesn't live in London (Present) She is thought to live in London She is thought to live in London (Infinitive Present) More passive stuff Subordinate subject + verb passive + subordinate active verb in INFINITIVE.