THE PASSIVE VOICE
PASSIVE, FORM
The passive voice in English is composed of two elements : the appropriate form of the verb 'to be' + the past participle of the verb in question:
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Subject |
verb 'to be' |
past participle |
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The house |
was |
built ... |
Example: to clean
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Subject |
verb 'to be' |
past participle |
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Simple present: |
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The house |
is |
cleaned every day. |
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Present continuous: |
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The house |
is being |
cleaned at the moment. |
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Simple past: |
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The house |
was |
cleaned yesterday. |
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Past continuous: |
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The house |
was being |
cleaned last week. |
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Present perfect: |
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The house |
has been |
cleaned since you left. |
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Past perfect: |
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The house |
had been |
cleaned before their arrival. |
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Future: |
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The house |
will be |
cleaned next week. |
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Future continuous: |
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The house |
will be being |
cleaned tomorrow. |
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Present conditional: |
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The house |
would be |
cleaned if they had visitors. |
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Past conditional: |
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The house |
would have been |
cleaned if it had been dirty. |
NOTE: 'to be born' is a passive form and is most commonly used in the past tense:
I was born in 1976. When were you born?
BUT: Around 100 babies are born in this hospital every week.
Infinitive form: infinitive of 'to be' + past participle: (to) be cleaned
This form is used after modal verbs and other verbs normally followed by an infinitive, e.g.
You have to be tested on your English grammar
John might be promoted next year.
She wants to be invited to the party.
Gerund or -ing form: being + past participle: being cleaned
This form is used after prepositions and verbs normally followed by a gerund
Examples:
a. Most film stars hate being interviewed.
b. I remember being taught to drive.
c. The children are excited about being taken to the zoo.
NOTE: Sometimes the passive is formed using the verb to get instead of the verb to be:
a. He got arrested for dangerous driving.
b. They're getting marriedlater this year.
c. I'm not sure how the window got broken.
