Page 61 - Grasp English A2 (Grammar Book)

Look Alive! 10

Passive voice: present & past simple

We form the passive with the appropriate tense of be and the past participle of the main verb.
When we want to change a sentence from active voice to passive voice, we take the following steps.

• First of all, the object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
• Next, the verb to be must be in the same tense as the verb in the active sentence.
• Then, the past participle of the main verb is used in the passive sentence.
• Finally, by is added if we want to show who or what did the action.

The verb can be in any form am / is / are - was / were - has been / have been - had been - and so
on. We put the past participle after the form of be.
The best apricots are grown in this town.
Many roads were blocked by heavy snow.

Lots of toys have been imported from China recently.

We use the passive form:
• to focus on the result of the action rather than the person who performed it.
The robbers were caught last week.
• when we don’t know who performed the action.
His car was stolen last night.
• when the person who performed the action is obvious.
Computers are used all over the world (by people).

Active voice Passive voice

We make paper from trees. Paper is made from trees.

Asian people eat a lot of rice. A lot of rice is eaten by Asian people.
We sell second-hand cars. Second-hand cars are sold.
We teach British English here. British English is taught here.
Sue invited me. I was invited by Sue.
The dentist checks your teeth. Your teeth are checked by the dentist.
They hold a meeting every month. A meeting is held every month.
I brush my cat every day. My cat is brushed every day.
Liz typed the boss’s letters. The boss’s letters were typed by Liz.
Elton finished his homework before dinner. The homework was finished before dinner by Elton.

Grasp English A2 Grammar Book © Prime Press, 2020 | www.primepress.com 59