We can talk in the active or passive

voice in English.
Let’s look at:
1. When we use the passive voice.
2. How was form sentences in the passive voice.

When do we use the

passive voice?
Function: When do we use the
passive voice?
This species of plant was first discovered by Thomas Tillsdale over 100 years ago. The
plant was given the name Flygate – the name of the village where it was found. We
don’t know who thought of the name, but people think that it was Tillsdale’s wife. The
plant is often seen around the Scottish coastline.

Look at what the girl says

and match the sentences when we want to focus on the when we don’t know who/what did
in bold to the uses. There action and not who/what did it the action, or when it’s very
may be more than one obvious
example in each column. This species of plant was first The plant was given the name
discovered by Thomas Tillsdale. Flygate.
It was found.

The plant is often seen…

Form: How do we make sentences in the
passive voice? Look at these two examples again. One is in the
present simple and the other is in the past simple.
Complete the structures using the words in the box.

am/is/are subject subject was/were past participle past participle

The plant is seen around the Scottish coastline.

subject + am/is/are + past participle

The plant was given the name Flygate.

subject + was/were + past participle
 Form: How do we make sentences in the
passive voice?
present simple past simple

The plant is seen The plant was given

around the Scottish coastline. the name Flygate.

subject + am/is/are + past participle subject + was/were + past participle

Remember that the

subject is not the agent
(doer) of the action.
The past participle is the main verb in the sentence.
The subject receives
It’s the same if the sentence is in the present or
the action.
past.
Form: How do form the passive voice?
subject verb to be past participle
My phone was stolen.

The mobile phone was invented (…)

past participle
No one has been arrested.
subject
Mary will be operated on.

The car is being repaired.

verb to be

Look at the Which part of the The main verb is in

examples and put form changes the past participle.
the form in the depending on the Does this change
correct order. tense? with the tense?
No.

Verb to be.
 Form: How do form the passive voice?
Subject verb to be past Participle
My phone was stolen.

The mobile phone was invented (…)

by the police/the mechanic, etc.
No one has been arrested.

Mary will be operated on.

If you want to
The car repaired. mention the
being
is getting agent, you can
do this by using
Notice how the verb to be tells us the tense. by…
E.g. Present simple = am/is/are
Past simple = was/were The verb to be in the passive voice
Present continuous = is being (to be + -ing) is an auxiliary, not a main verb.
Past continuous = was being Therefore, it isn’t usually stressed
Present perfect = has been (have + past participle) when we speak. Weak forms are
Past perfect = had been used. E.g. /wəz/ (was), /wə/
Future = will be (were), /bɪn/ (been).
Modal verbs = could/should/must + be In informal The main verb
situations, you doesn’t change
can replace the and is always in
verb to be with the past
the verb to get. participle.