Active vs. Passive
| Voice | Focus on | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Active | the doer (subject does the action) | The dog ate the cake. |
| Passive | the receiver (action done to the subject) | The cake was eaten (by the dog). |
Formation
Passive in Different Tenses
| Tense | Active | Passive |
|---|---|---|
| Present simple | They make cars here. | Cars are made here. |
| Past simple | She wrote the report. | The report was written by her. |
| Present perfect | They have sent the letter. | The letter has been sent. |
| Future (will) | He will fix the bike. | The bike will be fixed. |
| Modal (can) | You can open the window. | The window can be opened. |
When to Use the Passive
- The doer is unknown: My wallet was stolen.
- The doer is obvious or unimportant: The road is being repaired.
- Formal writing where the subject is less personal: It was decided that…
- To shift focus onto the receiver: Three goals were scored in the last five minutes.
Using "by"
Include "by + agent" only when the doer is important or surprising:
The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.
If the agent is unimportant, omit it:
The window was broken. (we don't care who broke it)
Real world: product label / packaging
"This product was manufactured in Germany. All ingredients are sourced from certified suppliers. The bottle can be recycled after use."
Real world: news report
"Three people were injured in a road accident on the M25 last night. The motorway was closed for two hours while emergency vehicles were dispatched. No arrests have been made."
Real world: museum caption
"This painting was created in 1503 and is believed to depict Lisa Gherardini. It was acquired by the French royal family in the 16th century and has been kept in the Louvre since 1797."
Practice Problems
Turn into passive: Scientists discovered a new planet.
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Turn into passive: They are building a new school.
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Turn into passive: Someone has stolen my bike.
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When should you include 'by + agent' in a passive sentence?