The Passive form - Live-English.net

Summary Video about the Passive Form in English

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What is the Passive Voice in English?

The passive voice is used to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person object that performs the action.
subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)

– The object of the active sentence become the subject of the passive sentence
She gave me the book.
I was given the book./ The book was given to me

– The finite form of the verb is changed (to be + Past Participle)

Present Simple
* The best wines are made in France.
Past Simple
* The castle was built in the sixteenth century.
Present Continuous
* The room is being redecorated.
Past Continuous
* The television was being repaired when it exploded.
Present Perfect
* The child has been taken away.
Future
* The present will be sent soon.
Infinitive
* This must be done.
Past Perfect
* I came straight away, but John had already been arrested.
Gerund
* We left without being told what to do.

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Exercises about the Passive form

Exercise 1: Identify passive sentences
Exercise 2: Complete the sentences
Exercise 3: Active and Passive

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