Passive Voice
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Use: the passive voice highlights the action instead of who or
what did the action.
Note:
The active voice is stronger and recommended
when you write.
Form: BE VERB (was, were, are,
is) + PAST PARTICIPLE VERB
(taken, drafted,
driven, become,
written)
Negative: BE VERB +
not + PAST PARTICIPLE VERB
Future:
will be +
PAST PARTICIPLE VERB
Present Perfect: has/have been +
PAST PARTICIPLE VERB
Progressive: BE VERB +
being + PAST PARTICIPLE VERB
Examples:
My
pens are always
taken.
(passive in the present)
Someone always takes
my pens. (active)
- better: stronger
His car was hit
by a garbage truck. (passive
in the past)
A garbage truck hit
his car. (active)
- better: more direct
The trash was not
taken out yesterday.
(negative passive
in the past)
You did not take
out the
trash yesterday. (active)
- better: more direct
The garbage will be picked
up before noon. (passive in the future)
- better
The garbage truck will pick
up the garbage before noon. (active)
- unnecessary subject
The trash has
already been taken out.
(passive in the present perfect)
Johnny has
already taken out the
trash. (active) - better: more
direct
My little schmoopy
is being pampered at Pet Spa.
(passive in the progressive)
Pet Spa is pampering
my little schmoopy. (active)
Rules -
Ex.1 -
Ex.2 -
Ex.3 -
Ex.4 -
Ex.5
