1. UNIT 1
THE PASSIVE VOICE

2. INTRODUCTION
Passive verb forms have one of the tenses of the verb “to be” and a “past participle”.
Verbs which take an object (transitive verbs) can have a passive form. So we can make corresponding passive sentences for:
They destroyed the building.
The building was destroyed.
The news surprised me.
I was surprised by the news.

3. INTRODUCTION
Verbs which do not take an object (intransitive verbs) do not have passive forms. For example, there are no passive forms for the following sentences:
I slept for nearly ten hours last night.
The ship slowly disappeared from view.
NOTE: A good dictionary will tell you whether verbs are transitive or intransitive.

4. INTRODUCTION
However, many verbs can be used at different times with and without objects – that is they can be both transitive and intransitive. Compare:
Are they meeting him at the station? (transitive)
Is he being met at the airport? (passive)
When shall we meet? (intransitive; no passive possible)

5. FORMING PASSIVE SENTENCES
Verbs that can be followed by either object + object or object + prepositional object in active clauses can have two corresponding passive forms. The passive form you choose depends on which is more appropriate in a particular context:
active
passive
She handed me the plate.
She handed the plate to me.
I was handed the plate.
The plate was handed to me.

6. FORMING PASSIVE SENTENCES
Other verbs like this include give, lend, offer, promise, sell, teach, tell, throw. However, verbs that cannot be followed by object + object in the active have only one of these passive forms:
He described me the situation. x
I was described the situation. x
He described the situation to me. ✓
The situation was described to me. ✓

7. FORMING PASSIVE SENTENCES
Other verbs like this include demonstrate, explain, introduce, mention, report, suggest.
We can make a passive form of transitive two – and three-word verbs. Compare:
Martha talked me into buying a motorbike. (=V+OBJECT+ PREPOSITION) and
I was talked into buying a motorbike by Martha.
They gave over the whole programme to a report from Bosnia. (=V + ADVERB + OBJECT + PREPOSITION) and
The whole programme was given over to a report from Bosnia.

8. FORMING PASSIVE SENTENCES
Some transitive two – and three word verbs are rarely used in passive:
We got the money back for her, but it took ages. (rather than The money was got back…)
I had to put out a hand to steady myself. (rather than A hand was put out …)
Other verbs like this include get down (=write what sb says), let in (= when sth has a hole in it that allows water, light etc. to get into it), let out (e.g a scream), show off (=encourage people to see sth because you are proud of it), take after (=resemble).

9. WHEN WE USE PASSIVES?
Here are some situations where we typically choose a passive rather than an active.
When the agent is not known, is “people in general”, is unimportant, or is obvious, we prefer passives. In an active sentence, we need to include the agent as subject; using a passive allows us to omit the agent by leaving out the prepositional phrase with by:

10. WHEN WE USE PASSIVES?
My office was broken into when I was on holiday. (unknown agent)
An order form can be found on page 2. (agent=people in general)
These boxes should be handled with care. (unimportant agent)
She is being treated in hospital. (obvious agent; presumably “doctors)

11. WHEN WE USE PASSIVES?
In factual writing, particularly in describing procedures or processes, we often wish to omit the agent and use passives.
Nuclear waste will still be radioactive even after years, so it must be disposed of very carefully. It can be stored as a liquid in stainless-steel containers which are encased in concrete. The most dangerous nuclear waste can be turned into glass. It is planned to store this glass in deep underground mines.

12. WHEN WE USE PASSIVES?
In spoken English, we often use a subject such as people, somebody, they, we or you even when we do not know who the agent is. In formal English, particularly writing, we often prefer to use passive:
They are installing the new computer system next month.
The new computer system is being installed next month. (more formal)
The installation of the new computer system will be completed by next month.

13. WHEN WE USE PASSIVES?
In English we usually prefer to put old information at the beginnning of a sentence (or clause) and new information at the end. Choosing the passive often allows us to do this.
The three machines tested for the report contained different types of safety valve. The Boron Group in Germany manufactured the machines.
The three machines tested for the report contained different types of safety valve. The machines were manufactured by the Boron Group in Germany.
Old information – in italics ; new information – in bold

14. WHEN WE USE PASSIVES?
It is often more natural to put agents (subjects) which consist of long expressions at the end of a sentence. Using the passive allows us to do this.
I was surprised by Don’s decision to give up his job and to move to Sdyney.
is more natural than “Don’s decision to give up his job and move to Sdyney surprised me.”

15. Verb + -ing or to-infinitive : passive forms
Active pattern: verb + -ing + object
passive
I enjoyed taking the children to the zoo.
The children enjoyed being taken to the zoo.
Active pattern: verb + object + -ing
passive
They saw him climbing over the fence.
He was seen climbing over the fence.
Active pattern: verb + to infinitive + object
passive
His collegues started to respect Tim.
Tim started to be respected (by his collegues).

16. Verb + -ing or to-infinitive : passive forms
Active pattern: verb + to infinitive + object
passive
Mr. Price taught Peter to sing.
Peter was taught to sing (by Mr. Price).

17. REPORTING WITH PASSIVE VERBS
We often use a passive to report what people say, think etc., particularly if we want to avoid mentioning who said or thought what we are reporting:
People in the area have been told that they should stay indoors.
Everyone was asked to bring some food to the party.

18. REPORTING WITH PASSIVE VERBS
A common way of reporting what is said by people in general or by an unspecified group of people is to use it+passive verb+that-clause.
It is reported that the finance minister is to resign.
It has been acknowledged that underfunding is part of the problem.
It can be seen that prices rose sharply in September.

19. REPORTING WITH PASSIVE VERBS
Other verbs that can be used in this pattern include agree, allege, announce, assume, calculate, claim, consider, decide, declare, discover, estimate, expect, feel, find, know, mention, propose, recommend, show, say, suggest, suppose, think, understand.

20. VERB FORMS IN THE PASSIVE VOICE
Passive Voice stresses the action itself, not who or what caused it.
Only transitive verbs (=verbs with an object) can be used in the passive.
This company employs eight people.
Eight people are employed by this company.

21. Verb Forms
Active Voice
Passive Voice
Present Simple
They always serve tea with cakes.
Tea is always served with cakes (by them).
Present Progressive
They are renovating the hotel.
The hotel is being renovated.
Past Simple
I repaired the roof last year.
The roof was repaired (by me) last year.
Past Progressive
The scouts were pitching the tents when it started to rain.
The tents were being pitched by the scouts when it started to rain.
Present Perfect Simple
We have removed all the furniture from the living room.
All the furniture has been removed from the living room.
Past Perfect Simple
The fire had destroyed the house before the fire brigade arrived.
The house had been destroyed by the fire before the fire brigade arrived.

22. Future “Will”
Mary will pay the bill tomorrow.
The bill will be paid (by Mary) tomorrow.
Going to
They are going to publish his new novel next month.
His new novel is going to be published next month.
Future Perfect Simple
I will have posted all the letters by noon.
Ali the letters will have been posted by noon.
Present Infinitive
We need to finish this work by tomorrow.
This work needs to be finished by tomorrow.
Perfect Infinitive
He could have bought the tickets earlier.
The tickets could have been bought earlier.
-ing form
I hate people staring at me.
I hate being stared at.
Modal Verbs
You must take him to hospital.
He must be taken to hospital.
Imperative
Please complete this exercise.
This exercise must / should be completed.

23. ATTENTION
The Present, Past and Future Perfect Progressive and the Future Progressive are not used in the Passive Voice.

24. We use the Passive Voice (summary)
when the agent (the person performing the notion) is unknown, unimportant or obvious from the context.
This portrait was painted before the 17th century,
The environment is being polluted more and more every day.
when we want to emphasize the notion itself, not the agent.
Eight people were injured in a car accident.
In instructions, processes, formal statements etc.
The lever on the right should be pulled down slowly.

25. NOTE:
Get can be used instead of be in informal speech, to show that something happened unexpectedly.
His jeans got caught on a spike as he was climbing over the fence.

26. By + agent is used when we want to emphasize who does or what causes the action.
The investigation was ordered by the Police Commissioner.
with+instrument/material of + material describe what caused the action or what the agent used to perform.
This photograph was taken with an expensive camera.
The basement was flooded with water.
This cardigan is made of wool.

27. NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES
Active Voice
Passive Voice
Examples
Verbs with two objects
Both the indirect object (person) and the direct object (thing) can be used as subjects of a Passive sentence.
He gave her a rose. →
She was given a rose. or
A rose was given to her.
Question words (what, who, when, where, why, how)
Question Word+Auxiliary/Modal Verb+Subject+Past Participle
With who and whom we never omit by.
Who wrote this play? →
Who was this play written by? (informal)
By whom was this play written? (formal)
not...any
not...any of
not...anyone/anybody
not...anything no
none of
no-one / nobody
nothing
They didn’t change anything. →
Nothing was changed.

28. make
hear
help
see etc. +
bare infinitive
full infinitive
John made me leave.→
I was made to leave (by John).
let
be allowed to
When “let” has other meanings, it does not change in the Passive
They didn’t let me go to the party.→
I was not allowed to go to the party.
You have to let the dog out.→
The dog has to be let out.
believe, consider, expect, find, hope, know, report, say, think, understand etc.
it+passive form of verb+that...
subject+passive form of verb + full infinitive
Scientists believe that this virus is deadly. →
It is believed that this virus is deadly, or
This virus is believed to be deadly.
Verbs with prepositions
The preposition goes immediately after the verb.
A car nearly knocked Jane down this morning.→
Jane was nearly knocked down by a car this morning.

29. EXERCISES
If possible, make a corresponding passive sentence. If it is not possible, write “no passive”
The committee called on Paula to explain her reasons for the proposed changes.
I got down most of what he said in his lecture.
When I was young, my aunt and uncle looked after me.
The surgeons operated on him for nearly 12 hours.
Sandra let out a scream and she collapsed to the floor.
Hugh takes after Edward – they are both very well organized.
All his relatives approved of his decision.

30. Rewrite these sentences
Rewrite these sentences. Instead of using “people”,”somebody”, or “they”, write a passive sentence with an appropriate verb form.
Somebody introduced me to Dr. Felix last year.
People are destroying large areas of forest every year.
Somebody has bought the land next to our house.
Somebody had already reported the accident before I phoned.
I hope they will have completed all the marking by tomorrow.
People were using the tennis court, so we couldn’t play.
Somebody will tell you when you should go in to see the doctor.
They should have finished the hotel by the time you arrive.

31. Rewrite the sentences beginning with (the) + a noun formed from the underlined verb and make any other necessary changes
They will consider the issue at next week’s meeting.
They eventually permitted the site to be used for the festival.
They have transferred the money to my bank account.
They will present the trophy after the speeches.
They will not announce the findings until next week.
They demolished the building in only two days.
They will produce the new car in a purpose-built factory.

32. Using one was/were + past participle (passive form), and one past simple (active) form, which one of the two verbs can complete both sentences in the pair?
Recall/notice
She ________ coming into class late.
I _______ her carrying a yellow bag.
Catch/not mind
I _________ them taking apples from my garden.
They ________ stealing apples from the farmer’s fields.
imagine/ hear
As he fell into the pool, he _______ himself shouting for help.
Jones ______ shouting at Mr. Book before the robbery.

33. Dislike/keep
I ______ waiting for at least an hour.
I ______ getting caught in the rain without an umbrella.
See/like
We ______ the birthday presents that Uncle Joseph sent.
The children ______ playing football in the park this morning.

34. If necessary, correct the sentences
Ken was wanted to be the leader of the party.
I had been taught to be played chess by the time I was four.
Monica is considered to be the best student in class.
The painting has been reported being missing.
Derek is hated to be away from home so often.
Joan and Frank are being allowed to keep the prize money.
Jane is preferred to ride her bike where her parents can see her.

35. IF POSSIBLE, REWRITE THESE NEWSPAPER HEADLINES AS PASSIVE SENTENCES
DISCOVERY THAT ASPIRIN CAN HELP FIGHT CANCER
AGREEMENT THAT UN WILL SEND IN TROOPS
AID WORKERS TELL OF MASSACRE
“EARTH SHRINKING BY TEN METRES EACH YEAR” CLAIM SCIENTISTS
EARTHQUAKE CALCULATED TO HAVE COST 3 BILLION DOLLARS
YOUNG PEOPLE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR GOVERNMENT GRANTS
REPORTS OF REBEL TROOPS ENTERING CAPITAL

36. Sentences are given in the active voice
Sentences are given in the active voice. Change them into the passive voice.
1. He teaches English. 2. The child is eating bananas. 3. She is writing a letter. 4. The master punished the servant. 5. He was writing a book. 6. Who wrote this letter? 7. Somebody cooks meal every day.

37. 8. He wore a blue shirt. 9. May God bless you with happiness. 10
8. He wore a blue shirt. 9. May God bless you with happiness! 10. They are building a house. 11. I have finished the job. 12. I sent the report yesterday. 13. She bought a diamond necklace. 14. Somebody had stolen my purse.

38. He sings a song.
2. The boy killed the spider.
3. Help him.
4. Farmers sow maize in the rainy season.
5. Are you writing a letter?

39. 6. The workers were digging a canal. 7
6. The workers were digging a canal. 7. I will finish the job by the end of this week. 8. Have you finished your job? 9. They have informed him of his mother’s death. 10. They took all the necessary precautions.

40. All of them welcomed the suggestion enthusiastically.
Most of my friends have watched this movie.
The teacher appreciated the boy’s work.
Somebody has stolen the bicycle.
The police finally caught the notorious thief.
The head of the organization will run the project.
Firemen miraculously saved the people living on the second and third floors.
I am drafting a document now.
She will have sent the report.