Passive Voice
The passive voice is used when focusing on the person or thing affected by an action.
- The Passive is formed: Passive Subject To Be Past Particple
- It is often used in business and in other areas where the object of the action is more important than those who perform the action. For Example: We have produced over 20 different models in the past two years. Changes to: Over 20 different models have been produced in the past two years.
- If the agent (the performer of the action) is important, use "by" For Example: Tim Wilson wrote "The Flight to Brunnswick" in 1987. Changes to:"The Flight to Brunnswick" was written in 1987 by Tim Wilson.
- Only verbs that take an object can be used in the passive.
The following chart includes sentences changed from the active to the passive in the principal tenses.
| Active | Passive | Time Reference |
| They make Fords in Cologne. | Fords are made in Cologne. |
Present Simple |
| Susan is cooking dinner. | Dinner is being cooked by Susan |
Present Continuous |
| James Joyce wrote "Dubliners". | "Dubliners" was written by James Joyces. |
Past Simple |
| They were painting the house when I arrived. | The house was being painted when I arrived. |
Past Continuous |
| They have produced over 20 models in the past two years. | Over 20 models have been produced in the past two years. |
Present Perfect |
| They are going to build a new factory in Portland. | A new factory is going to be built in Portland. |
Future Intention with Going to |
| I will finish it tomorrow. | It will be finished tomorrow. |
Future Simple |
Check your understanding with these quizzes:
Active to Passive Transformation Quiz
Passive to Active Transformation Quiz
