Passive Voice

ITA ULAN SARI

A. Understanding

Is a form of sentence where the subject does not perform the action, but rather
receives the action from the action. On the other hand, in active voice (active
sentences), the subject acts as the perpetrator of the action.

Example : Police officer brought a thief to the jail> active Voice

A thief was brought by police officer to the jail > Passive
B. Function

• The passive voice is used if the is object is more

important to tell
• Passive voice is used if the subject is unknown
• Passive voice is used if the subject is not important
to tell

Example: My car is repaired

My wallet is stolen
Wood is cut. It is to factory. It is processed.
 Structure

Auxiliary verb + past participle / verb-3+ (By object)

Note:
A. Auxiliary verb is a helping verb. Can be in the form of: is, am, are, was,
were & been.

B. Past participle is the 3rd form of the verb.

There are two ways to make it, namely:
1. Regular Verbs; Obtained by adding "-ed" to the verb
2. Irregular Verb; The change in the 3rd form of the verb is irregular

C. By object, not mandatory to be included. Can be mentioned or not.

 Auxiliary verb + past participle / verb-3+ (By object)

Passive Voice Formulas for various Tenses

1. Present tense am/is/are + verb 3
2. Present continuous am/is/are + being + Verb 3
3. Present perfect tense have/has + been + verb 3
4. Past tense was/were + verb 3
5. Past continuous was/were + being + verb 3
6. Past perfect tense had + been + verb 3
7. Future tense will + be + verb 3
8. Future of perfect tense will + have + verb 3

Example of passive sentences in various tense :

• My shoes are washed every mounth> Present Tense
• The room is cleaned now> Present Continous
• The book was edited by Beartrice Sparks> Simple Past Tense
• The store will be closed> Future Tense
Thank You