Using the Passive

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3-6

Passive or Active?

The passive

- een "omgegooide" zinsstructuur waarbij je niet altijd weet wie de handeling uitvoert/doet

- lijdende vorm in het Nederlands

- de passive heeft minimaal: een vorm van to be + een voltooid deelwoord

Je maakt de passive door een vorm van to be + voltooid deelwoord. In het Nederlands gebruik je worden of zijn + voltooid deelwoord.

Active:
Ties sang a song.

Passive:

A song was sung (by Ties).

Active:

Kay ate the cake.

Passive:
The cake was eaten (by Kay).

The passive

What is the subject in this sentence?

The lion bit the man.

(Onderwerp)

The lion bit the man.

What is the object in this sentence?

The lion bit the man.

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' & change verb into 3rd form (past participle)
   
5. Add rest of the sentence if needed (...... + by + the do-er)
   Example: "The door was closed (by Shania)."

am/ is/ are + 3rd form

Active

Someone cleans the office everyday.

My boss always buys chocolate.

Passive

The office is cleaned every day (by someone). 

Chocolate is always bought (by my boss).

was/ were + 3rd form

Active

Someone painted our house last month.

The neighbours made a lot of noise last night.

Passive

Our house was painted last month.

A lot of noise was made (by the neighbours) last night.

have/has been + 3rd form

Active

Jack the Ripper has slashed a lot of women. 

Thomas has written many books. 

Passive

A lot of women have been slashed (by Jack the Ripper). 

Many books have been written (by Thomas). 

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 3rd form?

- 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.

The Government is planning a new road near my house.

1. passive
2. active

'Boys like to play soccer.'

1. Passive
2. Active

'This room has been painted blue.'

1. Passive
2. Active

'Cricket is played in Australia.'

1. Passive
2. Active

'The friends have been looking forward to meeting her.'

1. Passive
2. Active

'The search will be stopped because of the storm.'

1. Passive
2. Active