2.3.3.

Grammar Presentation: Paassive Voice

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. The causer of
the action, however, is not so important
i or not known. (In contrast,
active voice focuses on the causerr of an action).

Form of Passive:
asr Participle ( 3rd column of irregular
Subject + finite form of to be +Pa
verbs)

Example: A letter was written.

When writing active sentences in passive
p voice, note the following:

the object of the active seentence becomes the subject of the

passive sentences;

the finite form of the verb is changed ( to be + past participle);

the subject of the active sentence

s becomes the object of the
passive sentence ( or is droppe
opped)

Mr. Smith writes the Simple

ple Pa
Past The delivery notes are
delivery notes. written( by Mr. Smith).

Mr. Smith is writing the Present

nt The delivery notes are being
delivery notes Contin
nuous written (by Mr. Smith).
Simple
ple Pa
Past The delivery notes were
Mr. Smith wrote the written (by Mr. Smith).
delivery notes

Past Progressive
P The delivery notes were
Mr. Smith was writing being written then (by Mr.
the delivery notes Smith).

Past Perfect
P The delivery notes here
Mr. Smith has written been written (by Mr.
the delivery notes Smith).

Mr. Smith had written Past Perfect

P The delivery notes had been
the delivery notes written (by Mr. Smith).

Mr. Smith will write the Futuree The delivery notes will be
delivery notes written (by Mr. Smith).

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