Passive Voice

Passive or Active?
Grammar for Formal Writing
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Slide 1: Slide
EngelsMiddelbare schoolhavoLeerjaar 5

This lesson contains 14 slides, with interactive quizzes and text slides.

time-iconLesson duration is: 60 min

Items in this lesson

Passive or Active?
Grammar for Formal Writing

Slide 1 - Slide

What is the subject in this sentence?
The lion bit the man.
(onderwerp)
The lion bit the man.

Slide 2 - Open question

What is the object in this sentence?
The lion bit the man.

Slide 3 - Open question

Passive sentences in 5 steps
  1. Identify the subject, verb and object 
  2. Identify the tense by looking at the verb
  3. Use object as new subject (singular/ plural)
  4. Add form of 'to be' and change verb into past participle
  5. Add rest of the sentence and agent if needed

Slide 4 - Slide

am / is / are + past participle
Active
Someone cleans the office every day. 
My boss doesn't ask me to work late.

Passive
The office is cleaned every day. 
I am not asked by my boss to work late.

Slide 5 - Slide

was / were + past participle
Active
Someone painted our house last month.
The noise did not wake me up.

Passive
Our house was painted last month.
I was not woken up by the noise.

Slide 6 - Slide

have / has been + past participle

Active
UPS has delivered the letters. 
Thomas has written many books. 

Passive
The letters have been delivered by UPS. 
Many books have been written by Thomas. 

Slide 7 - Slide

How to recognize a passive sentence...
- Check if there is a form of 'to be' used (am, are, is, was, were, been)
- Is it followed by a participle?
- Is it followed by 'by + noun or pronoun? If not, can it be followed by  'by zombies'?

Are all answers 'yes'? Congratulations, you have a passive sentence.

Slide 8 - Slide

The Government is planning a new road near my house.
A
passive
B
active

Slide 9 - Quiz

'Boys like to play soccer.'
A
passive
B
active

Slide 10 - Quiz

'This room has been painted blue.'
A
passive
B
active

Slide 11 - Quiz

'Cricket is played in Australia.'
A
passive
B
active

Slide 12 - Quiz

'The friends have been looking forward to meeting her.'
A
passive
B
active

Slide 13 - Quiz

'The search will be stopped because of the storm.'
A
passive
B
active

Slide 14 - Quiz