Passive Voice Basics II - English Grammar

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Primarily, in the English language a passive construction occurs when the object of an action is made into the subject of a sentence. To be exact, whoever or whatever is performing the action is not the grammatical subject of the sentence. Therefore, in a sentence using the passive voice the performer of the action is not that important. The emphasis is put on the action itself.

Why use the passive voice?

Have a look at the following example sentences:

• My wallet was stolen.
  • It is not important by whom the wallet was stolen. This passive construction concerns itself with the actual action of stealing.

• I was born in 1980.
  • Of course, it is known that my mother gave birth to me. Therefore, we don’t need to mention her in this passive construction.

• This camcorder was manufactured in Japan.
  • It is not important who manufactured this camcorder.

• That’s the book which was stolen.
  • The reason the passive voice is used is that we want to emphasise the book, which is the subject of the sentence.

Making the Passive Voice

This English grammar video then concerns itself with the actual construction of the passive voice. Have detailed look at the following example sentences:

• Someone stole my wallet. (Active Voice - Past Tense)
  • My wallet was stolen. (Passive Voice - Subject + to be (past) + past participle)

• The editors are going to review my book. (Active Voice – Future Tense)
  • My book is going to be reviewed (by the editors). (Passive Voice - Subject + going + to be (base form) + past participle)

• Farmers grow apples around here. (Active Voice – Present Tense)
  • Apples are grown around here. (Passive Voice - Subject + to be + past participle)

further exercises:

• Passive Voice Basics
• Passive Voice Basics III