Using the Passive Voice
Active Voice Subjects Perform an Act We ... chose ... plastic film to cover the microphone. Subject Verb Object
Active Voice Subjects Perform an Act We ... chose ... plastic film to cover the microphone. Subject Verb Object Passive voice Plastic film … was chosen … to cover the microphone. Subject Verb Object
Active Voice Subjects Perform an Act Third person, but active voice The team ... chose ... plastic film to cover the microphone. Subject Verb Object Passive voice Plastic film … was chosen … to cover the microphone. Subject Verb Object
Using the Passive Voice Definitions Changing to the passive voice Practice examples
Combine “To be” + Past Participle “To be” is very irregular: Past participles usually add “-ed” or “-t”: presented, measured, built, burnt Irregular past principles must be memorized Present Tense Past Tense 1st person I am We are I was We were 2nd person You are You were 3rd person He, she, it is They are He, she, it was They were
Omit the “Agent” of the Action Active Workers installed burglar alarms. Passive, with agent Burglar alarms were installed by the workers. Passive, with the agent omitted Burglar alarms were installed.
Remember Tense and Number Active Voice Passive Voice I finish a project in eight hours. I finish three projects in eight hours. I finished a project in eight hours. I finished three projects in eight hours.
Remember Tense and Number Active Voice Passive Voice I finish a project in eight hours. A project is finished in eight hours. I finish three projects in eight hours. I finished a project in eight hours. I finished three projects in eight hours.
Remember Tense and Number Active Voice Passive Voice I finish a project in eight hours. A project is finished in eight hours. I finish three projects in eight hours. I finished a project in eight hours. I finished three projects in eight hours.
Remember Tense and Number Active Voice Passive Voice I finish a project in eight hours. A project is finished in eight hours. I finish three projects in eight hours. Three projects are finished in eight hours. I finished a project in eight hours. I finished three projects in eight hours.
Remember Tense and Number Active Voice Passive Voice I finish a project in eight hours. A project is finished in eight hours. I finish three projects in eight hours. Three projects are finished in eight hours. I finished a project in eight hours. I finished three projects in eight hours.
Remember Tense and Number Active Voice Passive Voice I finish a project in eight hours. A project is finished in eight hours. I finish three projects in eight hours. Three projects are finished in eight hours. I finished a project in eight hours. A project was finished in eight hours. I finished three projects in eight hours.
Remember Tense and Number Active Voice Passive Voice I finish a project in eight hours. A project is finished in eight hours. I finish three projects in eight hours. Three projects are finished in eight hours. I finished a project in eight hours. A project was finished in eight hours. I finished three projects in eight hours.
Remember Tense and Number Active Voice Passive Voice I finish a project in eight hours. A project is finished in eight hours. I finish three projects in eight hours. Three projects are finished in eight hours. I finished a project in eight hours. A project was finished in eight hours. I finished three projects in eight hours. Three projects were finished in eight hours.