Unit 6 – the passive voice

It’s important to understand how we

use the passive voice, but also when.
Let’s look at:
1. Common uses of the passive voice.
2. How to form the passive voice in different tenses.
3. Special cases.

When do we use the

passive voice?

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 Function: When do we use the passive?
Did you know that the mobile Talking of mobiles, my
phone was invented in phone was stolen from
1973? I thought it was earlier. my bag last week!

Look at what the boy says. Is Look at what the girl

he more focused on the result says. Do you think
of the action (what was she knows who stole
invented) or who did it? her phone?

What was
invented (and Probably not
when)

Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition B2

 Function: When do we use the passive?
Use 1: To focus on the action or the result of the action (rather than who did it – the agent)

Did you know that the mobile phone was invented in

1973? I thought it was earlier. The boy is interested in what
was invented and the result,
not who did it (the agent).

Use 2: When the agent (the person doing the action) is unknown, unimportant, or obvious.

The girl doesn’t Talking of mobiles, my phone was stolen from my bag
know who stole her last week!
phone (she doesn’t
know the agent).

How do we form the

passive voice?
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition B2
 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.
verb to be
The car is being repaired.

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.
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition B2
 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.

The car repaired. If you want to

is getting
being
mention the agent,
you can do this by
Notice how the verb to be tells us the tense. E.g. using by…
Present simple = am/is/are
Past simple = was/were The verb to be in the passive voice is
Present continuous = is being (to be + -ing) 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/ (were),
Future = will be /bɪn/ (been).
Modal verbs = could/should/must + be
In informal
The main verb
situations, you can
doesn’t change and What are the
replace the verb to
is always in the special cases?
be with the verb to
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition B2 past participle.
get.
 Special cases in the passive voice
1. Verbs that take two objects, e.g. show, give.

I was given the ring. It was given to me by my

grandfather.
There are two different forms of the
passive in this case. Either object (in
this case I or the ring) can be used as
2. The verb make. the subject.

In the passive voice, the verb make

I was made to start work an hour earlier today. needs to be followed by to + infinitive.

3. Let someone do something. There is no passive form of let

someone do. You need to use be
allowed to.
Will your parents let Yes. I’m allowed to come for a
you come tonight? couple of hours.

Let’s practise!
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition B2
 Practice activities
Change these sentences so that they are in the passive voice.

1. My parents will give me their old car when they get a new one.

I will be given my parents’/their old car when they get a new one.

My parents’/Their new car will be given to me when they get a new one. Two options here because
it’s a verb with two objects.
2. My best friend is organising the New Year’s Eve party at the moment.

The New Year’s Eve party is being organised at the moment (by my best friend).

3. My brother didn’t let me use his car. Remember! There is no

passive form of let
I wasn’t allowed to use his/my brother’s car. someone do.

4. The government has changed the law.

The law has been changed (by the government). Remember! In the passive
form, make is followed by
5. My mum makes me take the dog out every morning for a walk.
to + infinitive.
I am made to take the dog out every morning for a walk (by my mum).
Copyright © 2018 by Pearson Education Gold Experience 2nd Edition B2